When a loved one becomes involved in a coercive group or relationship, families often suffer in silence. Their distress, anxiety, and grief are rarely recognised in research or policy, leaving them invisible in the broader conversation on coercive control.
A new open access article by ICSA Board Member Dr. Carmen Almendros and colleagues, published in August in the Journal of Family Violence (Springer Nature), brings these experiences into focus. Drawing on survey data from 264 family members and friends, the study validates tools for measuring caregiving strain, documents the profound emotional toll of these situations, and calls for tailored family-based interventions.
Key Points
- Families are hidden victims, facing substantial distress, anxiety, and depression when loved ones are under coercive control.
- Stigma and self-neglect are strongly linked to poorer mental health, compounding isolation and hopelessness.
- Patterns of criticism, conflict, and over-concern increase the risk of family rupture, often reinforcing the isolating tactics of coercive groups.
- The study validates two tools—the Family Questionnaire (FQ) and the Brief Experience of Caregiving Inventory (BECI)—for use in coercive contexts, offering researchers and clinicians reliable ways to assess family experiences.
- Findings point to the urgent need for family-focused support programs and policy reforms.
Summary points
1. Families as hidden victims
While research often frames families as informants or sources of support, this study identifies them as “hidden victims.” They endure significant psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and grief, yet their struggles remain underrecognized in both research and clinical practice. By validating families’ own needs, the article challenges the notion that their role is merely supportive and instead positions them as a population requiring direct attention and intervention.
2. Validating caregiving measures
The study adapted and validated two established tools—the Family Questionnaire (FQ) and the Brief Experience of Caregiving Inventory (BECI)—for use in coercive control contexts. These instruments captured both negative dimensions (criticism, stigma, difficult behaviors) and positive ones (personal growth, resilience). By confirming their reliability, the research provides a framework for systematically assessing how families experience and respond to loved ones’ involvement in coercive settings.
3. Emotional strain and mental health
Family members often reported intense emotional expression, over-concern, and critical comments toward their loved ones. These patterns correlated with higher levels of distress, anxiety, and depression. Stigma, both societal and self-perceived, emerged as a particularly harmful factor, further isolating families and eroding their sense of control. Emotional strain does not only damage family wellbeing but can also risk rupturing relationships entirely.
4. The risk of family rupture
The study highlights how difficult behaviors by the loved one, combined with family criticism and conflict, are strongly associated with potential family separation. Coercive groups often encourage isolation from relatives, and these internal tensions can accelerate estrangement. Families who responded with criticism, anger, or monitoring behaviors were more vulnerable to relational breakdowns, underscoring the delicate balance families must navigate to stay connected.
5. Implications for support and policy
Findings call for the development of family-based interventions, including psychoeducation, coping strategies, and skills training for relatives. The article stresses the need for policymakers and clinicians to recognize families as central to understanding coercive control, not peripheral. By framing families as legitimate stakeholders, the research encourages systemic change—expanding resources, reducing stigma, and ultimately strengthening both prevention and recovery efforts.
Notable quotes
- “The findings provide insights to understand the unique challenges these families face, underscoring the importance of developing family-based intervention programs and enhancing support for a population traditionally marginalized in scientific literature.” (p. 2)
- “This study underscores how negative emotional expressions and caregiving adversities erode family members’ sense of mastery. Faced with the overwhelming challenge of managing an unfamiliar situation without accessible professional, social, or personal support, family members often experience profound feelings of helplessness, doubt their own capabilities, and lose self-confidence.” (p. 19)
- “Developing family-based intervention programs that incorporate insights from other caregiving areas, specifically tailored for families in coercive control situations with a focus on psychoeducation and skills training, could represent a significant advancement.” (p. 21)
- “From a policy perspective, recognizing the extensive impact of coercive control is vital. Policymakers should ensure that family members have access to necessary resources, promoting a comprehensive societal response to coercive control.” (p. 21)
Conclusion summary
The article concludes that coercive control harms not only individuals but also their families, who face distress, stigma, and fractured relationships. By validating caregiving measures in this context, the study opens pathways for evidence-based interventions and policy reforms. Families must be recognized as hidden victims and supported with tailored programs to improve both their wellbeing and their capacity to help loved ones.
Why it matters
This study shifts the frame: Families are not only witnesses or informants but victims in their own right. Their struggles have profound implications for mental health services, intervention design, and policy. Recognising families as central stakeholders in coercive control contexts is essential for prevention and recovery alike.
Who this article is for
This article is most relevant for mental health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and advocates working in the fields of coercive control, cultic studies, and family support. It also offers insight for survivors’ families seeking validation of their experiences.
This article was originally published in Journal of Family Violence (Springer Nature). Open Access under CC BY 4.0. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-025-00930-0
The Journal of Family Violence is a peer-reviewed publication committed to disseminating rigorous research on preventing, ending, and ameliorating all forms of family violence.
