Beyond Interpersonal Abuse

Conceptualizing Organizational Gaslighting as a Strategic Communication Risk

Abstract

Gaslighting, traditionally examined as a psychological phenomenon within intimate relationships, has recently gained interdisciplinary attention that extends into institutional and organizational contexts. In this paper, we define gaslighting as a risky strategic communication practice in which individuals or organizations deliberately obscure truth, discredit critics, manipulate narratives, and normalize doubt in order to maintain power and control. Normative ethical theory is used to explain the unethical nature of gaslighting as well as offer deontological (principled) ethical analysis tools and recommendations. This bibliometric study analyzed 235 academic publications indexed in the Web of Science to map the disciplinary distribution and thematic clusters of gaslighting research. Keyword co-occurrence mapping reveals a highly fragmented field—85% of journals (n = 195) published only a single article—yet concentrated scholarly activity exists in feminist philosophy, interpersonal violence, and education. Four thematic clusters emerged: (1) structural inequities and institutional contexts, (2) identity, power, and organizational life, (3) psychological traits, emotional harm, and interpersonal relations, and (4) abuse, control, and help-seeking. This study proposes Organizational Gaslighting as a Strategic Communication Risk (OGSCR) framework for understanding organizational gaslighting, encompassing four interrelated dimensions: power and hierarchy, narrative control, discrediting and delegitimization, normalization through internal culture, and stakeholder responses to issue or policy change. By reframing gaslighting as a risky communication practice, the study underscores how organizations may not only communicate about risks but also generate risks through their communication strategies. This dual nature—communication of risk and risk of communication—highlights the ethical, strategic, and societal stakes of gaslighting, making it a critical phenomenon for advancing debates in risk and strategic communication. This framework serves as a foundation for theoretical development and encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration.