“Emotional Abuse: A Major Component of Mental and Behavioral Problems in Adults”

Abstract

Background: Emotional abuse is a method of interpersonal exploitation which integrates altogether non-physical violence and suffering caused by non-verbal and verbal actions (Psychology & Behavioral Health, 2015). Emotional abuse is intentional, manipulative and a method of using power towards the victim. It frequently takes place with the combination of other types of abuse, though abuse can also go on in isolation. As there are different kinds of abuse, emotional abuse frequently affects those who have less power and influence on others (Psychology & Behavioral Health, 2015).

Objectives/Aims: The main objective of the research was to study the impact of emotional abuse on mental health among university adults.

Methods: A correlational research design in which self-report questionnaires were used to evaluate the significant difference between emotional abuse and mental health. Total sample (N=100) comprising male (n=50) and female (n=50) university adults with age range from 18 to 21 years and up to postgraduate qualification and above. Subject‘s mean age was 19.5 years. Simple random sampling technique used. Data were collected through two standardized psychological tests: (1) Emotional Abuse Questionnaire (EAQ) was designed by Jacobson and Gottman (1998), (2) Mental Health Inventory-18 (MHI-18) was developed by Veit and Ware (1983) and Demographic Data Sheet individually from male and female university adults.

Results: Data were coded, entered and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Frequency distribution, Mean, S.D. and t-ratio were calculated to measure the mean difference between the two groups of respondents with respect to their gender. Correlation coefficient was also computed among the variables.

Results revealed the fact that there is a significant difference between the male and female groups towards their emotional abuse and mental health. There were significant relationships between emotional abuse sub-scales and mental health scores between male and female. The discrepancies of results obtained have been discussed in detail by giving probable reasons.