Document Type : Exploratory
Authors
1 Associate professor
2 Department of Management,, Ilam University
3 Tehran Uni
Abstract
The aim of the present study is to analyze employees' perceptions and lived experiences of gaslighting in organizational relationships within government organizations in Kermanshah city. To this end, a qualitative research method employing a phenomenological approach was utilized to understand and identify the phenomenon of gaslighting in organizational contexts. The participants in the study consisted of employees from various government organizations in Kermanshah, with a total of 20 interviews conducted using purposive sampling until data saturation was achieved. The inter-rater agreement coefficient was utilized to assess reliability, while validity of the identified codes was ensured through peer review and participant feedback. The results of the content analysis coding revealed that the phenomenon of gaslighting encompasses 18 main categories, which can be categorized into four distinct areas. The first area pertains to management and leadership, which includes categories such as: the manager's inability to accept mistakes, lack of personal accountability, limitations in decision-making, non-acceptance of others' opinions, and dismissal of emotions. The second area relates to communication and social interactions, which includes categories such as: controlling social relationships, disseminating misinformation, instilling uncertainty and doubt in the individual, concealment, and exploiting feelings of sadness and despair. The third area encompasses managerial and professional behaviors, which includes categories such as: blame-oriented behaviors, Machiavellian conduct, bullying, persistent criticism, projecting behaviors, and utilizing past emotions. The fourth area is psychological, which encompasses categories such as controlling employees' personal lives and blame-related behaviors.
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