Coercive Control, Coping-efficacy, and Mental Health in Married Individuals: Does Gender Matter?

The prevalence of physical abuse is alarming in Pakistan, as reported by various researchers (Hussain et al., 2020; Murshid & Critelli, 2020; Ali et al., 2011). [...]the relationship between non-physical forms, including psychological abuse in marital relationships and mental health, must be studied by researchers. [...]recurrent or increased psychological violence negatively impacts a person's ability to cope, ultimately leading to a decline in mental health (Foster et al., 2015; Lee et al., 2007; Rodriguez, 2011). [...]coping has been identified as a significant factor in psychological health that controls stress and resists stressful situations. [...]coping strategies are used to diagnose, prevent, and restrain problems (Cassidy, 2000; Dempsey, 2002; Mengo et al., 2021; Mills et al., 2018). According to the transactional model of stress and coping, victims perceive coercive control as a threat and then use coping or get social support from others to deal with it.