Possible Causes ·        Some Possible Causes   As we stated before, frustration is one of the main causes that can lead a person to channel his or her negative emotions by abusing others.   Now, where does that frustration come for? Frequently, they come from very high expectations or non realistic expectations. Also, they come from an ineffective way of communication. More often, people tend to cope with minor incidents of abuse and let tensions build up, pouring them lately on an act of abuse.   To live in touch with reality is vital to avoid falling in a situation of emotional abuse.   Below we have listed some simple examples of some of the possible causes that take an abuser to commit emotional abuse and the victim to allow it:   §         Inferiority complex of the abuser or the victim. A low self-esteem. §         Feelings of frustration, anger, or other negative emotions that are not processed properly. §         Unhealthy reference role models during childhood. An abuser may have been a victim of emotional abuse or a witness of an abusive relationship. §         Unresolved inner problems that lead to depression or aggression. §         Intellectual or developmental incapacity (immaturity) to understand and utilize different ways to interact with other people in a more adequate way. §         Need to exert control over others or need to be controlled. §         Emotional insecurity, lack of self-confidence. §         Lack of knowledge of Key Information on Emotional Abuse.   We need to bear in mind, too, the cultural values and traditions, the religious beliefs and/or political views, the family traditions, the social environment, the family environment and the character of each person, their personality, forged by the unique experiences they have had.   Typically, a child who is raised within a conservative family will grow up with values that are totally different from those of a child brought up in a more open minded or unconventional family.   In some countries, it is considered culturally “wrong” that two lady friends go out together and meet for a coffee at a coffee shop, without the company of a man.  In this kind of countries, if the man does not allow the woman meet a female friend for a coffee without her husband being present, it would not be considered an abuse because according to their own cultural values “it’s wrong for two women to go out on their own”.   While the same scenario in other countries, this is if a man does not allow a woman to meet a lady friend for a coffee and chat, the law considers the man is violating the woman’s rights and restricting her freedom.   Hence, the cultural background of each person is important. Likewise, the intellectual level of the people is equally important. If parents are excessively demanding and harsh with their child and this child suffers from a developmental or mental delay, then they are abusing their child because he would never be able to meet his parents’ expectations (even if he wanted to. I strongly recommend that you read the following article entitled "Love and the Stockholm Syndrome," written by Dr. Joseph Carver. http://abusoemocional.ning.com/group/drcarverandcounsellingresources/forum/topics/love-and-the-stockholm