GASLIGHTING AS A FORM OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATION: UNDERSTANDING ITS IMPACT IN SELF-ESTEEM AND RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

Gaslighting is a covert form of psychological manipulation in which an individual or group seeks to make another person doubt their perception of reality, memory, or sanity. Originating from the 1938 play Gas Light by Patrick Hamilton, the term now represents one of the most insidious forms of emotional abuse. This paper explores the history and conceptual evolution of gaslighting, examines its psychological and relational mechanisms, and analyzes its long-term effects on victims’ self-esteem, autonomy, and identity. Through a synthesis of psychological theories and empirical findings, the study underscores how gaslighting thrives within power imbalancesparticularly in romantic, familial, and workplace settingsand highlights the importance of awareness, therapy, and boundary-setting for recovery.