Rhetorical Manipulation and Identity Disruption: The Impact of DARVO Discourse on Survivors of Psychological Abuse

Abstract
This paper explores the psychological and communicative effects of DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) discourse patterns in public and interpersonal rhetoric, particularly as perceived by individuals with a history of abusive relationships. Drawing from an experimental design with 40 participants, this study investigates how manipulative rhetorical strategies—when embedded in political or professional speech—are interpreted by survivors of emotional abuse. The paper also examines whether a brief cognitive-emotional intervention can improve resistance to such tactics and restore critical distance in participants. This work contributes to the discourse on resilience, leadership communication, and the emotional cost of rhetorical abuse in high-pressure environments. Keywords - DARVO, Emotional Manipulation, Rhetorical Psychology, Trauma-Informed Leadership, Identity And Trust, Critical Thinking