Coercive Control and Its Relationship to Restricted Emotionality Among Abused Women

Abstract

This research aims to identify the nature of the relationship between coercive control and restricted emotion among abused women. The study employed a correlational approach. The research sample consisted of 400 abused women who had sought assistance from the Family Protection Directorate in Baghdad (Karkh and Rusafa districts). The researcher used two scales: the Coercive Control Scale, based on the theory of Dutton and Goodman (2005), and the Restricted Emotion Scale, based on the model of O’Neil (2008). The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results showed a statistically significant positive correlation between coercive control and restricted emotion, indicating that higher levels of coercive control are associated with increased restriction of emotional expression among abused women. The results also revealed no statistically significant differences in emotional restraint based on most demographic variables, except for educational attainment. The findings indicate that coercive control is a significant psychological factor in explaining patterns of emotional inhibition among abused women, necessitating the development of psychological intervention programs aimed at enhancing emotional expression and regulation in this group.