PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATION IN ROMANTIC AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS: MECHANISMS, PERSONALITY DYNAMICS, AND EMOTIONAL CONSEQUENCES

Abstract

Psychological manipulation in romantic relationships is a subtle yet pervasive form of emotional harm, characterized by intentional influence strategies that undermine a partner’s autonomy, self‐esteem, and sense of reality (Fischer, 2022). Research indicates that manipulation often operates through reinforcement patterns, emotional coercion, deception, and identity distortion (Brichag, Papusha, Kholokh, Kuznietsov, Danyliak, 2024). Individuals utilizing these tactics frequently display traits associated with the dark triadnarcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathyas well as elevated anger and rejection sensitivity (Grieve, Mahar, 2010). Educational and assessment‐based interventions have been shown to improve recognition and reduce vulnerability to manipulation, though conceptual understanding does not always translate into real‐life detection (Cohan, 2024; Brichag et al., 2024). This paper synthesizes existing research on the psychological mechanisms of manipulation, personality correlates, and the effects on victims’ emotional well‐being, while highlighting the importance of relational education and further empirical study.