Management Studies in Development and Evolution

Identifying and Analyzing the Antecedents and Consequences of Gaslighting Phenomenon in Governmental Organizations using the Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM) Method

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Reza Sepahvand 1
Heidar Abbaspour 2

1 Professor, Department of Management, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

2 ilam

https://doi.org/10.22054/jmsd.2026.90002.4737
Abstract
Gaslighting, as one form of organizational and interpersonal misconduct, involves the emotional exploitation or psychological abuse of an individual or a group against another, generating psychological pressure that disrupts the target individual’s organizational functioning. Accordingly, the present study aims to analyze the hidden dimensions and obscure facets of the gaslighting phenomenon in the workplace by examining its antecedent and consequent elements among employees in governmental organizations in Lorestan Province. This research is applied in terms of objective and exploratory in terms of data collection. Furthermore, this study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods based on the deductive-inductive philosophical stance. The statistical population consists of experts, including faculty members of Lorestan University and managers of governmental organizations in Lorestan Province, selected through purposive sampling based on the principle of theoretical saturation. The qualitative data collection tool was a semi-structured interview, validated through content validity, theoretical validity, and reliability assessed via inter-coder and intra-coder agreement. The quantitative data collection tool was a questionnaire, validated through content validity and re-test reliability. Qualitative data were analyzed using the content analysis method, and quantitative data were analyzed using the Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM) method.

Keywords

Gaslighting
Antecedents
Consequences
Governmental Organizations
Fuzzy Cognitive Map
Subjects
Management Studies in Development and Evolution

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 06 January 2026

  • Receive Date 30 November 2025
  • Revise Date 22 December 2025
  • Accept Date 28 December 2025

Article View 1,030

Home

Editorial Boards

Submit Manuscript

Article Processing Charges

Contact Us