A Review of Twenty Years of Research on Coercive Control in Dating Relationships: Practice Recommendations for Preventing Violence Against Women

Coercive control is defined as a relational pattern that involves threats, isolation, and control, targets a partner’s autonomy, independent decision-making, and subjectivity, and at times cooccurs with physical and sexual violence. The present review aims to understand the dynamics of coercive control in dating relations of emerging adults aged 18-30 and its effects on mental health. Studies show that coercive control in dating relations is exerted by a) restricting social relations and communication with the opposite sex, b) controlling outfits and appearance, c) digital surveillance and monitoring, d) pressuring on sexual decisions, and e) threats to tell one’s family. Young women are more likely to experience coercive control, normalized by patriarchal and honor-based cultural norms. This experience is associated with post-traumatic stress and depression symptoms, loss of autonomy, and identity erosion. Preventive and clinical practices based on an empowerment framework are shared along with future research suggestions.