Examining the relationship of gaslighting exposure with early adjustment disruptive schemas and childhood traumas in women

This study examined the relationship between gaslighting and early maladaptive schemas and childhood traumas. The study, which was conducted using the relational survey design, one of the quantitative research methods, consisted of 342 women between the ages of 18 and 61, determined by the snowball sampling method. Personal Information Form, Gaslighting Victim Scale, Young Schema Scale - Short Form and Childhood Trauma Scale were used as data collection tools; the obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS 27 package program. One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to examine the differences between the groups in terms of demographic variables (relationship status, income level, education status), and Pearson Correlation and Spearman Rho Correlation Analysis were used to determine the relationships between the variables. Multiple Regression Analysis was applied to predict gaslighting. According to the analysis results, exposure to gaslighting did not significantly differ based on relationship status or income level; however, it was found to decrease as the level of education increased. Positive and significant correlations were identified between gaslighting and both early maladaptive schemas and childhood trauma. Furthermore, it was concluded that these two variables together significantly predicted gaslighting. The findings show that gaslighting is not only an individual but also a universal problem for women and that it is important to evaluate this phenomenon in the context of early experiences. The research results provide important contributions to preventive and preventive mental health services for the recognition, prevention and intervention of gaslighting.