The Fact
In a 2023 qualitative study of 65 people who self-identified as having experienced gaslighting in romantic relationships, participants described diminished sense of self and mistrust of others among the consequences of gaslighting.
What This Means
The reported harm was not limited to believing one false statement. Participants described broader damage to self-trust and social trust.
Sources
- Willis Klein, Sherry Li, and Suzanne Wood, “A qualitative analysis of gaslighting in romantic relationships,” Personal Relationships, 2023.