Date
4-18-2025
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Natalie Hamrick
Keywords
Narcissism, anxiety, depression, intimate partner violence, isolation, COVID-19, pandemic, global health crisis, resiliency, religious coping, extrication
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Musacchio, Kristin A., "Resilience and Extrication Stories From Female Victims of Narcissistic Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic Isolation Period" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6747.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6747
Abstract
I studied the prevalence of narcissistic abuse and intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic’s isolation period. This research provides a nuanced understanding of the tactics and consequences of narcissistic abuse and intimate partner violence during a global health crisis. I uncovered ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has affected preexisting abusive behaviors while simultaneously providing new opportunities, during the isolation period, for the abusers to control and manipulate their partners. I explored resiliency and religious coping strategies to understand the psychological healing process of female victims of intimate partner violence or narcissistic abuse. A qualitative approach was utilized to delve into the lived experiences of participants (N=6) who have endured narcissistic abuse or intimate partner violence during the pandemic. The specific data was collected through personal interviews. The target sample included female victims between the ages of 25-45 who endured narcissistic abuse and/or intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, between 2020-2022. I found that the mental health of female victims of narcissistic abuse and IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic isolation period declined, which increased their reliance on their abusive partners as well as intensified their psychological issues. However, the individuals who discussed relying on their spiritual beliefs and support networks were more likely to leave their abuser, which showcases the importance of having community support and accessible mental health resources. The implications of the findings extend beyond the COVID-19 pandemic to emphasize the importance of recognizing narcissistic abuse as a specific form of intimate partner violence and how prolonged periods of isolation can exaggerate the abuse.
