Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global health problem enacted with varying degrees of severity, leading to mental and physical damage. Despite the acknowledgment that perpetration can be enacted in a subtle or covert way, there is a paucity of literature defining and describing such subtle abuse. Consequently, understanding about the behaviors and impacts of subtle abuse is limited, and there is a potential inability by therapists to recognize it in their clients. This scoping review sought to identify and synthesize the literature around subtle or covert abuse (SCA) in intimate adult relationships to clarify the concept, with the aim to aid professional recognition. PsychINFO (EBSCO), MEDLINE Complete (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), PsychArticles (EBSCO), Scopus, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, and EThOS were searched using relevant search terms. In total, 19 studies met the inclusion criteria by containing a description or definition of abuse based on primary research with adults in intimate partner relationships. Findings were synthesized using descriptive content analysis under four headings: (a) Descriptions and groupings of SCA behaviors, (b) The impact of SCA on victims, (c) Underlying theories of SCA, and (d) Recognition by professionals. This review suggests that SCA may be the most damaging of all abuses.

中文翻译：

---

亲密伴侣关系中的微妙或隐蔽虐待：范围审查


亲密伴侣暴力 （IPV） 是一个全球性的健康问题，其严重程度各不相同，会导致精神和身体上的伤害。尽管人们承认犯罪可以以微妙或隐蔽的方式实施，但缺乏定义和描述这种微妙虐待的文献。因此，对微妙虐待的行为和影响的理解是有限的，治疗师可能无法在他们的客户中识别它。本范围综述旨在识别和综合有关亲密成人关系中微妙或隐蔽虐待 （SCA） 的文献，以澄清这一概念，以帮助专业识别。使用相关检索词检索 PsychINFO （EBSCO）、MEDLINE COMPLETE （EBSCO）、CINAHL （EBSCO）、PsychArticles （EBSCO）、Scopus、ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global 和 EThOS。总共有 19 项研究符合纳入标准，其中包含基于对处于亲密伴侣关系中的成年人的初步研究的虐待描述或定义。使用描述性内容分析在四个标题下综合了研究结果：（a） SCA 行为的描述和分组，（b） SCA 对受害者的影响，（c） SCA 的基本理论，以及 （d） 专业人士的认可。本综述表明，SCA 可能是所有滥用中最具破坏性的。