Die ondersteuningsisteem van persone wat binne romantiese verhoudings gemanipuleer word: ’n praktykteoretiese pastorale studie

Abstract

Most people can think of at least one friend or family member, where the question: "Why does he / she stay in a relationship with that person?" is relevant. Often, however, the person is not exactly sure why they remain in the destructive relationship themselves, or how to ask for help. His/her support system also does not always know how to approach the situation, which often results in people being broken down for years by the person who is supposed to care about them most. In order to determine whether the friends and family of manipulated people understand manipulative relationships and can help those who are being manipulated, an empirical study was conducted. The results of the study clearly show that people who know others in destructive relationships are not adequately equipped to assist them and that most of them would like to learn those skills. Since emotional manipulation is such a complex concept and process, the best defence against it is to understand as much of manipulation, manipulators and their nature as possible. For this reason, the study aims to show why individuals with certain personality disorders are more likely to manipulate others. The manipulation techniques are also explored in depth and discussed with clear guidelines to the support system on how to spot these techniques and deal with them effectively, to benefit the manipulated person. Furthermore, the study focuses on the theological norms of abuse, as the process of emotional manipulation is the core element of abuse, whether emotional, physical or sexual. Although the Bible does not explain all the manipulation techniques that people use to abuse others in one passage, the actions that manipulators use as techniques are exposed by the Bible as wrong, harmful, and against God's will. Furthermore, the response that Christians should have to such actions becomes clear from various Bible passages, especially when examining ethical perspectives on concepts such as submission and divorce in the case of manipulation.