Abstract

Although research identifying and addressing extreme forms of control exists, all relationships experience some amount of control and some amount of the opposite of control, which is freedom. Large gaps in prevalence estimates and varied definitions of control suggest a need to better define the spectrum of control from mild to extreme forms, including looking at non-physically violent forms of coercive control. The purpose of this study was to expand knowledge of control in intimate relationships by examining the continuum of mild and extreme experiences of both control and freedom. Using constructivist grounded theory methods, the two categories of control and freedom were taken from a larger qualitative project on healthy and unhealthy themes in intimate relationships and analyzed to examine how partners describe control and freedom in relationships. This study contributes to systemic family therapy research by expanding binary conceptions of controlling/non-controlling relationships. Clearer conceptions of milder and non-physical forms of control in relationships may aid clinicians in identifying present but elusive processes of control, and help partners understand and support each other's freedom.

Degree

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Family Life

Rights

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