Perceived parental psychological control and relationship focused obsessions and compulsions as predictors of emotional manipulation

Emotional manipulation refers to implicitly influencing others' feelings, thoughts and behaviors in order to realize one's own interests The identification of variables associated with emotional manipulation is important for understanding the phenomenon and conducting preventive interventions. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate whether the perceived parental psychological control and romantic relationship-oriented obsessions and compulsions significantly predict emotional manipulation or not. The study utilized a relational design. Participants were selected by convenience sampling method. Participants of the study, who were young adults who had a romantic relationship history or who were currently in a romantic relationship for at least three months. The sample comprised 259 individuals (81.5% female, 18.5% male). The Emotional Manipulation Scale (EMS), the Psychological Control Scale (PCS), the Relationship Obsessions and Compulsion Inventory (ROCI), and the Partner-Related Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Inventory (PROCSI) were used as data collection instruments. Multiple linear regression, One Way ANOVA and independent samples t test were utilized for analysis of the data. Result of multiple linear regression indicated that predictor variables explained the 15.9% of the variance in emotional manipulation. Further, it was observed that there was no significantly difference in emotional manipulation scores according to relationship satisfaction however there was a significantly difference in emotional manipulation scores according to gender. Findings, limitations and implications for both researchers and practitioners were discussed.