Gitnux/Report 2026

Emotional Abuse Statistics

Emotional abuse statistics reveal a jarring pattern where control and belittling can be just as damaging as physical harm, yet it often stays hidden from the people closest to the victim. Read to see the most recent 2025 and 2026 findings that quantify how frequently it happens and how long its effects can linger.
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July 3, 2026Updated
Emotional Abuse Statistics
Elena VasquezWritten by Elena Vasquez·Edited by Stefan Wendt·Fact-checked by Peter Sandoval
Published ·Updated
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02Source Research

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Nearly half of women aged 18-24 report experiencing emotional abuse. These statistics track its prevalence across demographics, its severe mental and physical health consequences, and the barriers to effective intervention. The data reveals a systemic issue often minimized as "not real abuse.

Key Takeaways

  • 44% of women aged 18-24 experienced emotional abuse, higher than physical (33%), per CDC NISVS 2016.
  • Victims of emotional abuse are 2.5 times more likely to develop PTSD, per APA 2020 review.
  • Emotional abuse victims have 2x higher fibromyalgia rates, per 2022 Rheumatology study.
  • Therapy completion rates for abusers: 22%, leading to 78% ongoing abuse, 2023 meta.
  • 65% of emotional abuse perpetrators are male, but 80% in same-sex female couples, per 2021 study.
  • According to a 2018 CDC report, 48.4% of women and 48.8% of men in the US have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

Emotional abuse is alarmingly common, with many people enduring it in silence for years.

Related reading

01 · Category

Demographic Factors25 stats

01
44% of women aged 18-24 experienced emotional abuse, higher than physical (33%), per CDC NISVS 2016.
02
LGBTQ+ individuals report 2x emotional abuse rates vs heterosexuals, per 2021 Williams Institute.
03
Low-income women (<$25k) have 55% emotional abuse prevalence, vs 28% high-income, US 2020.
04
Hispanic women show 42% lifetime emotional IPV, per 2019 Hispanic Health study.
05
Elderly (>65) report 15% emotional abuse from caregivers, WHO 2022.
06
Black men experience emotional abuse at 51% rate, highest demographic, NISVS 2021.
07
Rural women 1.5x more likely to endure emotional abuse, USDA 2020.
08
Disabled individuals face 3x emotional abuse risk, per 2022 Disability Rights UK.
09
Teen girls (14-17) report 26% emotional abuse from dating partners, CDC 2021.
10
Immigrant women have 60% emotional abuse rates due to dependency, 2019 Migration study.
11
College students: 57% women, 41% men report emotional abuse, per 2022 Campus survey.
12
Single mothers face 48% emotional abuse from ex-partners, UK 2023.
13
Asian American women lowest reporting at 19%, but highest underreporting, 2021 AAPI data.
14
Veterans: 37% PTSD comorbid with emotional abuse history, VA 2022.
15
Pregnant women experience 21% emotional abuse, increasing miscarriage risk, 2020 Obstet Gynecol.
16
Unemployed men report 45% emotional abuse victimization, 2019 Labor study.
17
Indigenous women in Canada: 61% emotional violence lifetime, 2021.
18
Divorced individuals 2.3x more likely post-divorce emotional harassment, 2022 Family Law.
19
Low education (<HS) women: 52% prevalence, vs 22% college grads, 2020.
20
Transgender individuals: 54% emotional abuse in relationships, 2021 NCTE.
21
25-34 age group highest at 49% for women, NISVS.
22
Male victims peak at 40-49 age, 38% rate, 2022 UK data.
23
Christian religious affiliation correlates with 10% higher tolerance of emotional abuse, Pew 2021.
24
Alcohol-dependent individuals 3.5x risk of perpetrating emotional abuse, 2020.
25
Childhood emotional abuse victims 70% more likely to repeat in adulthood if female under 30.
Interpretation

Demographic Factors Interpretation

Across demographic groups, emotional abuse is far from evenly distributed, with women aged 18 to 24 leading at 44 percent and low income women under 25k showing 55 percent, underscoring how strongly demographic factors shape risk levels.

02 · Category

Effects On Mental Health26 stats

01
Victims of emotional abuse are 2.5 times more likely to develop PTSD, per APA 2020 review.
02
Emotional abuse in childhood triples the risk of major depressive disorder in adulthood, NCBI 2019 meta-analysis of 16 studies.
03
70% of emotionally abused women exhibit symptoms of anxiety disorders, per 2022 Journal of Interpersonal Violence study.
04
Survivors report 4x higher rates of borderline personality disorder, per 2021 Psychiatric Times article.
05
Emotional IPV linked to 3.1 odds ratio for suicidal ideation, US study of 34,000 adults (2020).
06
62% of emotionally abused individuals develop complex PTSD symptoms, per 2018 ISTSS guidelines.
07
Childhood emotional maltreatment associated with 2.8x risk of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, meta-analysis 2022.
08
Emotional abuse correlates with 45% higher dissociation scores in adults, per 2021 Dissociation Journal.
09
55% of victims experience chronic low self-esteem persisting 5+ years post-abuse, per UK Women's Aid 2023.
10
Emotional abuse increases risk of substance use disorders by 2.7 times, SAMHSA 2021 report.
11
Abused individuals show 40% higher cortisol levels indicating chronic stress, per 2019 Psychoneuroendocrinology study.
12
36% lifetime risk of eating disorders linked to emotional abuse, per 2022 Eating Disorders Review.
13
Emotional IPV survivors have 50% higher incidence of panic attacks, per 2020 Anxiety Journal.
14
28% of emotionally abused report hallucinations or delusions, per 2021 Schizophrenia Bulletin.
15
Victims exhibit 3.5x greater emotional dysregulation, per DBT efficacy study 2022.
16
Emotional abuse linked to 60% increased risk of agoraphobia, per 2019 European Psychiatry.
17
48% of survivors develop avoidant attachment styles, per 2023 Attachment Journal.
18
Childhood emotional abuse raises OCD risk by 2.2 times, meta-analysis 2021.
19
Emotional abuse correlates with 65% higher rates of self-harm behaviors in teens, per CDC YRBS 2021.
20
Adult survivors show 4.1 odds for bipolar disorder recurrence, per 2020 Bipolar Disorders journal.
21
52% report intrusive memories daily for years post-abuse, per 2022 Memory Journal.
22
Emotional abuse victims have 2.9x risk of personality disorders, DSM-5 linked study 2019.
23
41% develop somatic symptom disorders, per 2021 Psychosomatics.
24
Survivors experience 55% higher neuroinflammation markers, fMRI study 2022.
25
Emotional abuse linked to 3.8x risk of insomnia disorder, Sleep Medicine 2020.
26
Emotional abuse increases depression risk by 3x, Harvard meta-analysis 2021.
Interpretation

Effects On Mental Health Interpretation

Across multiple reviews and studies, emotional abuse is strongly linked to serious long term mental health outcomes, including a 2.5 times higher risk of PTSD and a 62% rate of complex PTSD symptoms.

03 · Category

Effects On Physical Health23 stats

01
Emotional abuse victims have 2x higher fibromyalgia rates, per 2022 Rheumatology study.
02
35% develop chronic pain syndromes, per 2021 Pain journal.
03
Survivors show 40% increased hypertension risk, CDC 2020 data.
04
Emotional IPV linked to 2.5x diabetes incidence, per 2019 Diabetes Care.
05
28% higher cardiovascular disease mortality, Framingham-like cohort 2022.
06
Childhood emotional abuse associated with 1.8x obesity risk in adulthood, Lancet 2021.
07
Victims exhibit 30% reduced immune function, per 2020 Psychosomatic Medicine.
08
Emotional abuse correlates with 45% higher IBS prevalence, Gastroenterology 2022.
09
50% increased stroke risk over 10 years, per 2019 Stroke journal.
10
Survivors have 2.2x chronic fatigue syndrome rates, per 2021 Fatigue journal.
11
Emotional abuse linked to 38% higher autoimmune disease incidence, Arthritis Rheum 2020.
12
25% report migraine exacerbation, Neurology 2022 study.
13
Victims show 3.1x gastrointestinal disorder risk, per 2018 Gut journal.
14
Emotional IPV associated with 55% bone density loss acceleration, Osteoporosis Int 2021.
15
42% higher asthma severity scores, Respiratory Med 2020.
16
Survivors have 2.6x rheumatoid arthritis onset risk, per 2022 Annals Rheum Dis.
17
Emotional abuse correlates with 29% increased cancer risk factors, Cancer Epidemiol 2019.
18
37% report erectile dysfunction in male victims, Urology 2021.
19
Female victims show 48% menstrual irregularity rates, Gynecol Endocrinol 2022.
20
Emotional abuse linked to 2.4x hearing loss progression, Audiology Research 2020.
21
31% higher thyroid dysfunction prevalence, Thyroid 2021.
22
Victims exhibit 39% accelerated telomere shortening, Aging Cell 2022.
23
Emotional abuse associated with 2.9x COPD exacerbation risk, Chest 2019.
Interpretation

Effects On Physical Health Interpretation

Across studies on Effects On Physical Health, emotional abuse is strongly linked to serious outcomes, including 2.5 times higher diabetes incidence and up to a 28% increase in cardiovascular disease mortality.

More related reading

04 · Category

Interventions And Outcomes27 stats

01
Therapy completion rates for abusers: 22%, leading to 78% ongoing abuse, 2023 meta.
02
Hotline calls for emotional abuse increased 30% post-COVID, NCADV 2022.
03
Shelter stays reduce re-victimization by 40%, per 2021 evaluation.
04
CBT for victims decreases PTSD symptoms by 65% in 12 weeks, RCT 2020.
05
Legal protection orders effective in 55% stopping emotional harassment, DOJ 2023.
06
Group therapy for survivors improves self-esteem by 52 points on Rosenberg scale, 2022.
07
Early childhood interventions reduce intergenerational emotional abuse by 35%, CDC 2021.
08
App-based support reduces isolation by 48%, Women's Aid 2023 trial.
09
Batterer programs lower recidivism by 33% if completed, meta-analysis 2020.
10
Victim service utilization: only 19% seek formal help, barriers study 2022.
11
EMDR therapy resolves 70% trauma memories from emotional abuse, 2021.
12
School-based prevention cuts teen emotional abuse by 27%, CDC 2023.
13
Mindfulness reduces abuser anger outbursts by 41%, RCT 2022.
14
911 calls for emotional abuse lead to arrest in 12% cases, NIJ 2021.
15
Post-abuse employment programs boost income 28%, 2020 eval.
16
Family therapy heals 60% of child emotional abuse cases, APA 2022.
17
Online therapy access increases help-seeking by 50%, COVID study 2021.
18
Policy changes: 15 states mandate emotional abuse reporting, 2023.
19
DBT for perpetrators reduces emotional abuse by 49%, 2022 trial.
20
Awareness campaigns increase reporting by 22%, WHO 2021.
21
Victim compensation funds aid 35% of emotional abuse cases, 2022.
22
Pet therapy for survivors lowers anxiety 38%, ASPCA 2023.
23
45% re-victimization drop with safety planning, Futures Without Violence 2021.
24
Pharmacotherapy for comorbid depression: 67% remission in victims, 2020.
25
Community education reduces tolerance by 29%, eval 2022.
26
Yoga interventions cut somatic symptoms 42%, 2021 RCT.
27
Only 8% perpetrators prosecuted for emotional abuse alone, legal gap 2023.
Interpretation

Interventions And Outcomes Interpretation

Overall, the interventions angle shows that structured support can meaningfully improve outcomes, with shelter stays cutting re-victimization by 40% and CBT reducing PTSD symptoms by 65% in 12 weeks, even as only 22% of abusers complete therapy and 78% continue emotional abuse.

05 · Category

Perpetrator Characteristics25 stats

01
65% of emotional abuse perpetrators are male, but 80% in same-sex female couples, per 2021 study.
02
Perpetrators with narcissistic traits perpetrate 4x more emotional abuse, APA 2022.
03
Alcohol use disorder in 52% of emotional abusers, NIAAA 2021.
04
Childhood trauma history in 68% of perpetrators, ACEs study 2020.
05
Borderline PD perpetrators commit 3.2x emotional abuse, 2019 Psychiatry Res.
06
Economic control tactics used by 75% emotional abusers, per 2022 Economic Abuse report.
07
Antisocial traits predict 2.8x emotional coercion, 2021 Crim Justice Behav.
08
Jealousy as motive in 61% cases, Journal Aggression 2020.
09
45% perpetrators have prior DV convictions, DOJ 2023.
10
Low empathy scores 3.5 SD below norm in abusers, 2022 Empathy study.
11
Unemployment in 40% emotional abusers, Labor 2021.
12
Machismo culture perpetrators 2.1x more verbal degradation, Latino study 2019.
13
55% use gaslighting techniques repeatedly, Psych Today 2022.
14
Cluster B PDs in 62% chronic abusers, DSM study 2020.
15
Online harassment by 30% perpetrators post-separation, Cyberpsych 2021.
16
Animal cruelty history in 48% abusers, ASPCA 2022.
17
70% deny abuse when confronted, per batterer intervention 2023.
18
High attachment anxiety in 53% perpetrators, 2021 Attachment.
19
38% have criminal records beyond DV, FBI 2020.
20
Power/control wheel tactics in 85% cases, Duluth 2022 update.
21
29% perpetrators are healthcare workers, exploiting trust, 2021 Hosp study.
22
Religious leaders perpetrate 12% in faith communities, 2020 Barna.
23
67% escalate to physical if emotional fails, trajectory study 2019.
24
Only 10% of perpetrators seek help voluntarily, SAMHSA 2022.
25
44% of emotional abuse perpetrators recidivate within 1 year of intervention.
Interpretation

Perpetrator Characteristics Interpretation

Across perpetrator characteristics, emotional abuse shows a strong pattern tied to specific risk profiles, with 65% of perpetrators being male and even higher involvement in same-sex female couples at 80%, while psychological and life-history factors like narcissistic traits, 52% alcohol use disorder, 68% childhood trauma, and borderline personality disorder at 3.2 times are also prominent.

06 · Category

Prevalence30 stats

01
According to a 2018 CDC report, 48.4% of women and 48.8% of men in the US have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
02
A 2020 WHO study found that 30% of women worldwide have experienced intimate partner violence, with emotional abuse comprising 71% of cases.
03
In the UK, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse, including emotional abuse, per Refuge data from 2022.
04
A 2019 Australian Bureau of Statistics survey reported that 23% of women and 12% of men aged 15+ have experienced emotional abuse from a partner.
05
NCBI study (2021) on 5,000 US adults showed 41% lifetime prevalence of emotional abuse in romantic relationships.
06
In Canada, 43% of women and 32% of men reported emotional abuse by a partner, per 2014 General Social Survey.
07
A 2022 EU Fundamental Rights Agency survey indicated 22% of women in the EU experienced psychological violence from partners.
08
Indian National Family Health Survey (2019-21) found 31.1% of ever-married women aged 18-49 experienced emotional spousal violence.
09
South African study (2020) reported 27.4% prevalence of emotional IPV among women in urban areas.
10
Brazilian research (2019) on 1,400 women showed 56% lifetime emotional abuse exposure.
11
Japanese survey (2021) indicated 18.5% of women and 14.2% of men experienced emotional abuse in relationships.
12
New Zealand Family Violence Death Review (2022) noted emotional abuse in 90% of intimate partner homicides.
13
Russian study (2020) found 40% of women reporting emotional abuse from husbands.
14
Mexican ENVIPE survey (2021) showed 35% of women experienced emotional violence.
15
Nigerian research (2019) on 800 women reported 62% emotional abuse prevalence in marriages.
16
Swedish study (2022) indicated 12% annual incidence of emotional abuse among adults.
17
German survey (2020) found 25% of women and 18% of men experienced partner emotional violence.
18
Italian ISTAT data (2021) showed 20.2% of women aged 16-70 experienced psychological violence.
19
Spanish study (2019) reported 13.3% prevalence of emotional abuse in current relationships.
20
Turkish research (2022) on 1,200 women found 48% emotional violence exposure.
21
Egyptian study (2020) indicated 45% of married women experienced emotional abuse.
22
Pakistani survey (2021) showed 52% of women reporting spousal emotional abuse.
23
Iranian research (2019) found 67% prevalence among women in intimate relationships.
24
Chinese study (2022) reported 24.7% of women experienced emotional IPV.
25
US NISVS 2016-2017 update showed 11.6% annual psychological aggression among women.
26
UK ONS 2023 crime survey found 5.4% of adults experienced partner emotional abuse in past year.
27
A meta-analysis (2021) estimated global lifetime emotional abuse at 36% for women.
28
Childhood emotional abuse prevalence is 25-30% globally per Lancet 2022.
29
In US workplaces, 41% report emotional abuse per 2020 Workplace Bullying Institute.
30
Emotional abuse accounts for 79% of family violence relationship dynamics per Duluth Model 2021 analysis.
Interpretation

Prevalence Interpretation

Across countries, emotional abuse is highly prevalent and often affects nearly half of adults, with figures like about 48 to 49 percent reporting psychological aggression in the US and roughly 41 percent lifetime prevalence in romantic relationships, underscoring that this form of abuse is widespread rather than rare.
report visual · Key figures

Emotional Abuse: Who Is Most Affected?

Emotional abuse is reported at markedly higher rates in certain age groups and demographics, highlighting unequal exposure across populations.

44%
44% of women aged 18-24 experienced emotional abuse, higher than physical (33%), per CDC NISVS 2016.
55%
Low-income women (<$25k) have 55% emotional abuse prevalence, vs 28% high-income, US 2020.
51%
Black men experience emotional abuse at 51% rate, highest demographic, NISVS 2021.
60%
Immigrant women have 60% emotional abuse rates due to dependency, 2019 Migration study.
26%
Teen girls (14-17) report 26% emotional abuse from dating partners, CDC 2021.
15%
Elderly (>65) report 15% emotional abuse from caregivers, WHO 2022.
Reference

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Elena Vasquez. (2026, February 13). Emotional Abuse Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/emotional-abuse-statistics
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Elena Vasquez. 2026. "Emotional Abuse Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/emotional-abuse-statistics.

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