THE DECONSTRUCTION OF FEMALE AUTONOMY AND THE USE OF GASLIGHTING IN THE CONTEXT OF DIVORCE

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the impacts of psychological violence, with an emphasis on the practice of gaslighting, on women's autonomy in the context of divorce. Through a qualitative bibliographic review, academic works were selected and analyzed that discuss the effects of this form of emotional abuse in marital relationships and its implications in the legal field. The study sought to understand how gaslighting undermines women's self-determination, affecting their decision-making capacity, self-esteem, freedom of choice, and ability to break away from abusive relationships, especially during the separation process. The results indicated that this practice operates in a subtle and persistent manner, destabilizing the woman's identity, hindering the rupture of abusive bonds, and directly influencing the dynamics of divorce. It was also found that women's suffering in this context remains underexplored in scientific literature, which tends to prioritize the impacts of divorce on children. It is concluded that recognizing psychological violence as a structural factor in gender inequality is essential for strengthening women's autonomy and for the development of more effective legal and psychological interventions committed to women's emancipation.