Gaslighting, Resilience and Mental Well-being among Young Adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52053/jpap.v6i4.419Keywords:
Emotional Abuse, Gaslighting, Resilience, Victim Mental Well-beingAbstract
This study explored the relationship between gaslighting, resilience, and mental well-being among young adults in Pakistan. A sample of 400 university students (aged 20–26) from academic institutions in Lahore participated in the study using purposive sampling. Standardized instruments were used to measure gaslighting experiences (Victim Gaslighting Questionnaire), resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, CD-RISC-25), and mental well-being (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, WEMWBS). Pearson’s correlation analyses revealed that gaslighting was significantly negatively correlated with resilience (r = –.25, p < .01) and mental well-being (r = –.33, p < .01). Mediation analysis showed that resilience partially mediated the relationship between gaslighting and mental well-being, with the direct effect of gaslighting on mental well-being remaining significant but reduced when resilience was included as a mediator (B = –.34, SE = .07, p < .001). These findings suggest that resilience serves as a protective factor, reducing the adverse impact of gaslighting on psychological health. The study emphasizes the need for awareness programs targeting emotional abuse, as well as resilience-building interventions in academic settings. Psychologists, educators, and institutional leaders should collaborate to provide supportive environments and mental health resources that empower young adults to cope with manipulative interpersonal dynamics.
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