Group Psychological Abuse and Psychopathological Symptoms: The Mediating Role of Psychological Stress

Abstract

In the context of the long-term effects of psychological abuse, this study examined psychological stress and psychopathological symptoms in survivors of groups with cultic dynamics where abusive behaviors take place on an ongoing basis. We specifically tested the mediating role of psychological stress suffered after the departure from the group between the group psychological abuse experienced and current psychopathology. An online questionnaire was administered to 608 Spanish-speaking former members of different groups. We distributed participants into a sample of victims ( N = 365) and a sample of nonvictims ( N = 243), according to whether or not they reported having experienced group psychological abuse. Moderate associations were found among group psychological abuse, psychological stress, and psychopathological symptoms. Greater differences in psychological stress intensity between samples were related to personal conflicts ([Formula: see text] = .30) and social relations ([Formula: see text] = .29). Greater differences in psychopathological symptoms were related to paranoid ideation ([Formula: see text] = .17), psychoticism ([Formula: see text] = .15), depression ([Formula: see text] = .15), and interpersonal sensitivity ([Formula: see text] = .13). Moreover, mediation testing demonstrated that psychological stress partially mediated the impact of group psychological abuse on psychopathological symptoms. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the long-term effects of group psychological abuse. Survivors of abusive groups not only need help in dealing with psychopathological symptoms, but also need resources to cope with stressful environmental demands. Interventions should address both psychological stress and clinical symptoms to promote survivors’ health and well-being during their integration process into the outgroup society.

Development and Validation of a Measure of Emotional Distress in Survivors of Group Psychological Abuse

“…These problems include psychopathological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, dissociation, or posttraumatic stress disorder (Gasde & Block, 1998;Malinoski et al, 1999;Martin, Langone, Dole, & Wiltrout, 1992). Furthermore, the long-term consequences of group psychological abuse include high levels of psychological stress (Saldaña, Rodríguez-Carballeira, Almendros, & Guilera, 2018) and a wide variety of psychological and social disturbances such as anger, low self-confidence, guilt, fear, mistrust, lack of social skills, and stigmatization (Boeri, 2002;Coates, 2010;Matthews & Salazar, 2014).…”

“…Although these studies found that former members of abusive groups reported significant clinical symptoms, only a few studies have examined the possible relationship between these symptoms and the practices endured by survivors of these groups (Saldaña, Rodríguez-Carballeira, Almendros, & Guilera, 2018). With these or other similar instruments, the results have been contradictory.…”

The impact of group psychological abuse on distress: the mediating role of social functioning and resilience

“…People who have experienced group psychological abuse are likely to undergo a difficult adjustment period, having to face emotional and social challenges, even long after the abusive experience has remitted. In this regard, victims of group psychological abuse may perceive environmental demands as more stressful (Saldaña et al, 2021 ), frequently expressing a feeling of failure in achieving life goals and feeling confused and lost (Lalich & Tobias, 2006 ; Matthews & Salazar, 2014 ). These findings suggest that, in addition to just negatively affecting mental health and well-being, group psychological abuse also affects a person’s subsequent adjustment to society and their way of dealing with the experience of trauma and daily sources of stress.…”

“…Regarding the negative outcomes of group psychological abuse, evidence shows that survivors may experience psychological and social difficulties (Saldaña et al, 2018 ), psychopathological symptoms (Gasde & Block, 1998 ; Goldberg, Goldberg, Henry, & Langone, 2017 ; Malinoski et al, 1999 ), and impairment in general well-being (Saldaña, Rodríguez-Carballeira, Almendros, & Guilera, 2021 ), even many years after they have left the group (Aronoff, Lynn, & Malinoski, 2000 ). Psychosocial difficulties frequently reported by survivors include feelings of loss, anger, guilt, low self-esteem, decision-making difficulties, and social skill deficits.…”

“…Göransson & Holmqvist, 2018 ). Previous studies have explored the mediator role of post-involvement stressful life events in the relationship between group psychological abuse and psychopathological symptoms (Saldaña et al, 2021 ). However, protective factors such as social functioning or resilience that could mediate the relationship between group psychological abuse and distress still need to be explored.…”