Love Bombing and Emotional Abuse among College Students

Abstract

Love bombing is an abuse tactic used to lure or keep someone in a relationship. It often involves intense displays of affection, admiration, and grand gestures. Love bombing can happen at any relationship stage but is more common when two people first meet. While all this attention may seem flattering, it can be dangerously manipulative. Emotional abuse is generally considered any harmful abusive behavior that is not physical. A relationship becomes emotionally abusive when the pattern occurs repeatedly over time. While there are no physical scars or broken bones, emotional abuse is a form of domestic violence. Emotionally abusive relationships do not always include physical violence, but psychological abuse can be a precursor to physical harm in a relationship. Other names for emotional abuse include mental abuse and psychological abuse. A sample of 45 college students who were dating for a period of 6 months was collected. Standardized scales were used to measure love bombing and emotional abuse among people in a relationship or situationship. Results found out that none of the results were significantly correlated. However, there was a positive correlation between love bombing and emotional abuse. It’s not always possible to avoid an emotionally manipulative or abusive situation, and abuse is never a victim or survivor’s fault. However, understanding common signs of love bombing and what to do if a new relationship feels off may help one spot potentially problematic behavior before one gets too emotionally invested. Setting clear boundaries, seeking support from trusted individuals or professionals, and prioritizing self-care are crucial. Open communication about feelings and concerns is essential, as is evaluating whether the relationship is healthy in the long term. If the abuse persists and the partner is unwilling to change, seeking therapy or considering ending the relationship may be necessary for one's own well-being.