Groundbreaking study introduces tool to measure gaslighting in relationships

A recent study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships has introduced the Gaslighting Relationship Exposure Inventory (GREI), a new tool designed to measure gaslighting in romantic relationships.

The GREI, consisting of 11 items, was tested across two cultural samples—Israel and the United States—and found to be a reliable and valid measure for both men and women.

The study highlights the close relationship between gaslighting and psychological abuse, revealing that exposure to gaslighting can lead to significant mental health issues, such as depression, and negatively impact relationship quality.

Gaslighting, a form of manipulation where one person causes another to question their own reality, is particularly harmful in romantic relationships. It often involves denying events, minimising feelings, or making a partner doubt their memory, leading to emotional distress and a loss of self-trust.

Study author Tair Tager-Shafrir from The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College underscored the importance of the research, stating, “Many people perceive gaslighting as less harmful due to its subtle nature, but our findings show its negative effects are no less significant than other forms of psychological abuse.”

To validate the GREI, researchers conducted two studies involving participants from Israel and the US, who completed the GREI alongside other established questionnaires measuring intimate partner violence, mental health, and relationship satisfaction.

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The results confirmed that gaslighting exposure is strongly correlated with psychological abuse and contributes to poorer mental health outcomes and lower relationship satisfaction.

The study also uncovered that men reported higher levels of gaslighting than women in both samples, challenging the common assumption that gaslighting predominantly affects women. However, the researchers urged caution, suggesting this finding could reflect differences in how men and women perceive and report such behaviors.

While the GREI is designed primarily for research purposes, the tool represents a significant step forward in understanding and identifying gaslighting in relationships. The study calls for further research into the long-term impacts of gaslighting on mental health and relationship dynamics.