Domestic Intelligence

Gaslighting

Rescuing the Term "Gaslighting" From Overuse

Terri Apter Ph.D. on October 15, 2024

"Gaslighting" is a useful term that is often used loosely. An examination of gaslighting in different contexts can lead to a better understanding of this harmful behavior.

"Gaslighting" is a useful term that is often used loosely. An examination of gaslighting in different contexts can lead to a better understanding of this harmful behavior.

Gaslighting

How the Meaning of Gaslighting Has Been Diluted

Terri Apter Ph.D. on August 19, 2024

There are two core factors no one should lose sight of.

There are two core factors no one should lose sight of.

Therapy

Therapy Programs May Gaslight Domestic Abuse Victims

Terri Apter Ph.D. on May 2, 2024

Dealing with couples whose disputes continue after divorce presents enormous challenges to family and child therapists. New strategies show promise, but they gaslight abuse victims.

Dealing with couples whose disputes continue after divorce presents enormous challenges to family and child therapists. New strategies show promise, but they gaslight abuse victims.

Emotions

Could Men Be More in Touch With Their Feelings Than Women?

Terri Apter Ph.D. on February 19, 2024

It is often said that women are more in touch with their feelings than men. Have we got this wrong? We need to take a new look at how women marginalise their own feelings.

It is often said that women are more in touch with their feelings than men. Have we got this wrong? We need to take a new look at how women marginalise their own feelings.

Parental Alienation

Traumatic Attachment and Parental Alienation

Terri Apter Ph.D. on January 11, 2024

Abusers often defend themselves in custody battles with counter-accusations of parental alienation. There is a pathway to identifying the real abuser.

Abusers often defend themselves in custody battles with counter-accusations of parental alienation. There is a pathway to identifying the real abuser.

Domestic Violence

Domestic Abusers' Belief in Their Innocence

Terri Apter Ph.D. on July 21, 2023

Recent research on coercive control in committed relationships omits a central problem in calling the abuser to account: the abuser’s conviction of their own innocence.

Recent research on coercive control in committed relationships omits a central problem in calling the abuser to account: the abuser’s conviction of their own innocence.

Narcissism

Dangerous Defenses

Terri Apter Ph.D. on June 14, 2023

Are you enraged and destabilised by the slippery moves some people make to avoid accountability? It helps to identify and explore the steps in their responses.

Are you enraged and destabilised by the slippery moves some people make to avoid accountability? It helps to identify and explore the steps in their responses.

Adolescence

How to Close the Mental Health Gender Gap for Girls

Terri Apter Ph.D. on May 20, 2023

If we really care about the crisis in teen girls' mental health, we should steer clear of lazy explanations and make use of what is already known.

If we really care about the crisis in teen girls' mental health, we should steer clear of lazy explanations and make use of what is already known.

Media

Not Hapless Victims: Teen Girls and Social Media

Terri Apter Ph.D. on March 6, 2023

A new report challenges previous research on social media and teen moods.

A new report challenges previous research on social media and teen moods.

Mindfulness

Can Mindfulness Be Bad for Teens?

Terri Apter Ph.D. on August 22, 2022

There is a mental health crisis among teens, but mindfulness, the once hoped-for magic bullet, misses its target.

There is a mental health crisis among teens, but mindfulness, the once hoped-for magic bullet, misses its target.

Relationships

Why You Might Not Get Along With Your In-Laws

Terri Apter Ph.D. on July 11, 2022

How helpful is the explanation “it’s all in the genes” when it comes to affinal bonds?

How helpful is the explanation “it’s all in the genes” when it comes to affinal bonds?

Adolescence

Why Anorexia Is So Hard to Treat

Terri Apter Ph.D. on April 11, 2022

Anorexia in teens is very difficult to treat effectively—often because parents and clinicians don't understand how teens themselves view the disorder.

Anorexia in teens is very difficult to treat effectively—often because parents and clinicians don't understand how teens themselves view the disorder.

Adolescence

When Adolescents Go to War

Terri Apter Ph.D. on March 5, 2022

Research shows that teen soldiers are seven times more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

Research shows that teen soldiers are seven times more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

Relationships

The Hidden Heartache of Teenage Romances

Terri Apter Ph.D. on February 10, 2022

Society celebrates young love, but early experiences of romance are often terrifying for teens.

Society celebrates young love, but early experiences of romance are often terrifying for teens.

If receiving unwelcome sexual images via social media is seen as normal, does that mean it isn't harmful?

Adolescence

Blaming Social Media for Teen Depression Is Too Easy

Terri Apter Ph.D. on November 23, 2021

There was widespread public concern for teen girls’ self-dissatisfaction long before social media. Regulation needs to address a much larger context.

There was widespread public concern for teen girls’ self-dissatisfaction long before social media. Regulation needs to address a much larger context.

Pornography

Teen Boys and Porn: Do We Know the Harms?

Terri Apter Ph.D. on September 9, 2021

Does our dislike of pornography distract us from the real harms to teens’ sexual behavior?

Does our dislike of pornography distract us from the real harms to teens’ sexual behavior?

Postpartum Depression

Is Postpartum Depression Normal?

Terri Apter Ph.D. on August 28, 2021

Sometimes mental health awareness raises needless alarms and actually marginalises difficult feelings.

Sometimes mental health awareness raises needless alarms and actually marginalises difficult feelings.

Gaslighting

Gaslighting's Long and Toxic Reach

Terri Apter Ph.D. on August 17, 2021

Even when we see through the lies of a gaslighter, we may still be a victim.

Even when we see through the lies of a gaslighter, we may still be a victim.

Have we been looking at internalized bias in the wrong way? Changing the environment may be more effective than changing ourselves.