Are social media platforms blurring the lines between coercive control and healthy relationship? A study investigating perceptions of coercive control

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between social media (in particular, TikTok) and perceptions of coercive control. Participants viewed seven TikTok videos which involved coercive control and judged them using quantitative questions and open-ended question. The results showed that a moderate negative correlation was observed, indicating that individuals who approved of the behaviour shown in the video held more permissive attitudes toward CC and did not perceive the behaviour as CC, while demographical variables were found to have a non-significant influence on CC perception. Regarding the qualitative aspect of the research, the results showed individuals did not normalise or idolise the behaviour depicted in the videos but instead categorised it as controlling and threatening. The most common theme in relation to what individuals regarded as coercive control was ‘restricting freedoms’ with two subthemes: ‘restricting travel’ and ‘restricting what an individual wears. Interestingly, individuals categorised videos depicting the use of physical violence as abuse and more serious than videos in which physical violence was absent. The present study expands upon previous research, offers directions for future research and highlights the value of education in raising awareness regarding coercive control. • Explores the variables that influence attitudes and perceptions of coercive control. • ‘Restricting freedoms’ was most mentioned feature of coercive control. • ‘Restricting travel’ and ‘restricting what an individual wears’ key sub themes. • Participants struggled to identify coercive control when physical violence was absent. • Awareness programmes for coercive control without physical violence suggested.