This occurs when a husband or wife degrades, humiliates or manipulates his or her spouse using words or other emotional and psychological tactics.
For example, a husband who abuses his wife emotionally may criticize her actions or call her ugly names. They do this with the intention of making their spouse feel inadequate. In extreme cases, abusers may threaten to hurt themselves or those around them. The aim of this kind of abuse is to make their victim feel worthless and completely dependent on the relationship.
