December 1, 2025Open Access

Coercive control: Recognising relational patterns that affect patient wellbeing

JLJohanna LynchThe University of Queensland JKJoanna Klieve-LongmanHealth Net JKJoanna Klieve-Longman

Key Points

Identifies coercive control patterns that threaten physical and emotional health in the community, fostering awareness for early intervention.
Raising awareness of coercive control can help general practitioners identify harmful relational patterns affecting individuals.
Patterns of confusion and isolation contribute to coercive control, highlighting the need for better recognition in healthcare settings.
Supporting awareness of coercive control may improve patient wellbeing by promoting clarity and a sense of belonging.

Abstract

Identifying coercive control is a key early intervention strategy for addressing domestic and family violence. Patterns of repeated invasion, confusion and isolation cause threat and enable coercive control by destroying freedom, clarity and belonging. Raising awareness of these patterns helps general practitioners to identify previously hidden processes that cause harm to the physical, emotional and social health of our community.

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