From the Clinician and Researcher Who Coined the Term Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA)™:
Rebecca C. Mandeville, MACP, LMFT, CCTP
New to my website and to my work? Scroll down to take the free online (research-supported) Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) Self-Test™ and to learn more about my introductory book on FSA, Rejected, Shamed, and Blamed, as well as how to access my free online FSA Recovery Quick-Start Guide
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Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) can happen in any type of dysfunctional family system, not just a narcissistic one. Learn about the impact my research on FSA is having around the world. Most recently, I co-authored the first peer-reviewed quantitative research study on Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA), conducted by Dr Kartheek Balapala (MD / Research Fellow). This research study has now been published in the European Journal of Public Health Studies (2025) and serves to further legitimize the clinical and human reality of this form of insidious systemic psycho-emotional abuse. I will also be co-authoring a second quantitative research on FSA and Postpartum depression (PPD) with Dr. Balapala this coming year. Learn more. You can access our first published peer-reviewed study on Family Scapegoating Abuse here: https://oapub.org/hlt/index.php/EJPHS/article/view/202/202
Rebecca C. Mandeville is credited with creating the terms ‘Family Scapegoating Abuse’ (FSA) – also referred to as ‘Family Scapegoat Abuse’ – providing a significant contribution to the fields of Psychology and Family Systems. Her work involved meticulous research and clinical observation, resulting in her defining and describing the specific dynamics of this poorly understood form of systemic ‘invisible’ (psycho-emotional) abuse. By coining the term itself, she provided a critical linguistic tool for understanding how individuals within dysfunctional family systems are systematically targeted and blamed. This unique nomenclature is profoundly important because it validates the often-dismissed experiences of survivors, giving them a language to articulate their trauma. Mandeville’s work has been essential in bringing recognition to FSA, facilitating both healing for survivors and further research into this complex form of abuse.
Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) Is a Systemic Issue
Family Scapegoating Abuse, or ‘FSA’ – a form of psycho-emotional (‘invisible’) abuse in which a child or adult child is unjustly blamed, marginalized, and ‘otherized’ by their family-of-origin – can be profoundly damaging.
What you’ll often find is that those who discuss family scapegoating (including Mental Health professionals and social media influencers) continually assert that narcissism – or ‘a narcissist’ – is always THE driving force behind most cases of family scapegoating behaviors and any attendant estrangement. Rarely is any research included to support such a sweeping statement. Not surprising, because this is simply not the case. Such an assertion is a myth, because over a half a century of research within the field of Family Systems on the ‘Identified Patient’ (IP) confirms that the scapegoating of a given family member is typically systemic and can occur in ANY type of dysfunctional family system – not just a narcissistic one. Yet, despite this reality, this myth is widely promoted and this ‘distorted narrative’ is fed to FSA survivors all the time.
So what’s the truth? Family scapegoating behaviors are in fact typically fueled by unconscious pathological projection processes rooted in systemic anxiety stemming from unrecognized, unprocessed intergenerational trauma. The scapegoating of a family member may at times be driven consciously and intentionally by a narcissistic parent, dominant sibling, etc, but the entire system will still be effected and involved, no matter how it seems on the outside. Research conducted over the past 60 years within the field of Family Systems supports this clinical and human reality. And yet, the above myth that scapegoating is ‘always’ and ‘only’ fueled by a narcissistic family member persists. Why? Because ‘narcissism’ is a ‘hot topic’ these days and people can make a lot of money capitalizing on the terms ‘narcissist’ and ‘narcissism’, even if they are misleading survivors by providing false or incomplete information in the guise of helpful education. Whether they mean to be doing this or not is beside the point – FSA survivors are being harmed either way.
Given the above, it is deeply concerning to me that survivors seeking information about family scapegoating and its effects may be negatively impacted by distorted and false narratives regarding how and why scapegoating occurs in families, making recovering and healing from FSA that much more challenging and difficult.
So next time you hear a (supposed) ‘expert’ say that scapegoating is ALWAYS conscious and intentional and ALWAYS fueled by a narcissist, and who won’t acknowledge that scapegoating within families is also frequently a systemic issue driven by unconscious pathological projection processes and can occur in ANY type of dysfunctional family system (not just a narcissistic one), I suggest you ask them to provide the research that backs up their statements and see what happens.
Take the FSA Self-Test™
To recover from something, we need to understand what we are trying to recover from. Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) is a term I coined during the course of my research in which I first began to identify and name critical aspects and features of this devastating systemic phenomenon. Have you been negatively impacted by FSA dynamics in your family-of-origin?
This brief questionnaire is informed by my original research on what I named ‘Family Scapegoating Abuse’ (FSA). It is now being used around the world within academic and clinical settings. It is for educational and assessment purposes only and should not be used as a diagnostic tool.
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Introduction to FSA
Check out my best-selling introductory book on Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA)
Learn More About Me
Learn more about Rebecca’s research and efforts to raise awareness about FSA
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Here, you are believed…
In my work in the area of psycho-emotional (‘invisible’) abuse and related trauma, I support child victims and adult children survivors. I believe what victims and survivors tell me and give them the space to share their stories, free of judgment. Escaping the Gordian knot of family dysfunction and scapegoating abuse can seem impossible, particularly when abuse dynamics are insidious, invisible, and subtle. But it is not impossible to recover from the ravages of FSA. How do I know? Because I don’t just research on and teach others about this form of abuse: I’m an FSA adult survivor, too. – Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTP
“Rebecca C. Mandeville’s pioneering research on Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) and its effects marks the establishment of a new – and critically important – area of study within the field of Family Systems. At last, survivors of this devastating phenomenon have a name and terms to describe what happened to them in their family and a means of moving forward in their healing and recovery process.” – Joshua Mitchell, PhD
Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA)™ is a term that specifically describes a unique systemic phenomenon identified by the research of Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTP. Email Rebecca to submit a permissions request for quotes over 100 words.
Do You Relate to Any of the Following Experiences?
Despite the devastating consequences to adult survivors, scapegoating in families remains an under-researched, poorly understood dysfunctional family process. If you’ve experienced any of the below, you may be the ‘identified patient’ or ‘scapegoat’ in your dysfunctional or narcissistic family system:
- Your family has a ‘story’ about you (what I call the ‘scapegoat narrative’) and via this ‘story’ (which is typically promoted and repeated within your nuclear and extended family) your character is distorted; your ‘faults’ are magnified and emphasized; and your poor treatment by those who scapegoat you, malign you, and psycho-emotionally abuse you within your family-of-origin is (in their minds) justified.
- You have been rejected, shamed, blamed, or bullied by family members. Any feelings you have about this are dismissed, diminished, or denied.
- You’ve been the victim of a family ‘smear’ campaign designed to discredit you, defame you, or destroy your reputation.
- You’ve been called a “liar”; a “faker”; or “crazy” by one or more members of your family.
- You’ve been called “too sensitive”; “dramatic”; or “difficult” by one or more members of your family.
- Your accomplishments and successes are ignored and go unacknowledged by your family.
- You feel frustrated, angry, or confused due to feeling rejected, shamed, blamed, or bullied by your family-of-origin.
- You have considered cutting ties with one or more members of your family to protect your mental and emotional health.
- Your family members imply you “fake” or “make up” injuries and illnesses.
- You suffer from anxiety, depression, impostor syndrome, and/or betrayal trauma and complex trauma (C-PTSD) symptoms.
- You experience ‘triggers’ and are emotionally activated around your family-of-origin, which typically is a result of long-standing complex trauma (C-PTSD) symptoms and what I have named Family Scapegoat Trauma (or FST) symptoms.
Child victims and adult survivors of family scapegoating abuse (FSA) continue to be deprived of public recognition and validation. The reality of this form of systemic abuse must be acknowledged within our Court systems, Educational systems, and Mental Health systems worldwide so FSA survivors can get the support they need, are entitled to, and deserve. – Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTP
What Is Family Scapegoating Abuse?
Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) is a term I coined during the course of my original Family Systems research on what is often a subtle and insidious systemic (family-of-origin based) phenomenon.
About My Introductory Book on Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA), Rejected Shamed and Blamed (and where to purchase it)
Purchase This Book on Amazon (U.S.) (Amazon has the Kindle, Paperback, and Hardcover version) – OR you can purchase it INTERNATIONALLY at These Online Book Retailers (including Amazon).
It’s been rewarding to see the interest in my work on family scapegoating abuse (FSA) growing steadily since I published Rejected, Shamed, and Blamed nearly three years ago. There can understandably be resistance on some people’s part in regard to accepting the fact that some processes related to FSA may at times be unconscious; however, it has been my experience that this is a critical piece of information for adult survivors of FSA who grew up in a dysfunctional, versus narcissistic, family system, as it validates the reality of their having been harmed by this form of insidious ‘invisible’ abuse.
In Rejected, Shamed, and Blamed, you’ll learn about:
- Why family scapegoating behaviors qualify as psycho-emotional abuse in highly dysfunctional and narcissistic families.
- Aspects of my research findings on what I eventually named ‘Family Scapegoating Abuse’ (FSA) and more recently, ‘Family Scapegoat Trauma’ (FST) to educate both adult survivors and interested Mental Health professionals on this poorly understood dysfunctional family phenomenon.
- How a systemic defense mechanism known as the Family Projective Identification Process (which is similar to a shared family ‘psychosis’) can fuel family scapegoating abuse in DYSFUNCTIONAL family systems. In NARCISSISTIC family systems, scapegoating can be fueled by a narcissistic family power-holder who controls and creates the ‘scapegoat narrative’ used to demean and diminish you within your nuclear and extended family – and beyond. The pathological Family Projective Identification Process may or may not be at play in a narcissistic family system.
- Why family scapegoating abuse adult survivors should be clinically assessed for complex trauma (C-PTSD) symptoms and engage in trauma-informed treatment pathways under the guidance of a licensed, trauma-certified Mental Health professional with Family Systems training.
- The inter-play between family scapegoating abuse; the family projective identification process; intergenerational trauma; toxic shame; betrayal trauma; and complex trauma (C-PTSD).
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Scapegoat Support Group for FSA Recovery
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I’ve been writing and publishing on ‘invisible’ (psycho-emotional) abuse for over a decade. Check out my archived articles here. You can also become a free subscriber to receive my latest articles over at my Substack FSA Education Community site at https://familyscapegoathealing.substack.com/about
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Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA)™ is a term that specifically describes a unique systemic phenomenon identified by the research of Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTP. Email Rebecca to submit a permissions request for quotes over 100 words.
This website provides free public education on the phenomenon known as Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA). It is not attached to the licensed Psychotherapy services provided by this website’s owner, Rebecca C. Mandeville.
Important Disclaimer: The information shared on this website and on my Substack is designed for educational purposes and should not be considered a replacement for professional mental health care. While I am a therapist, this platform does not facilitate a therapeutic relationship and I am not acting as a therapist here or on any of my online platforms. Please understand that online content cannot address individual needs. For crisis support in the U.S., please reach out to: Crisis Text Line (741741), Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988), or Emergency Services (911).
🔴 NEED HELP NOW? Being scapegoated can be extremely traumatizing. If you feel in danger of harming yourself, this is a list of international hotlines where you can speak to someone: https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/ You can also search for crisis support in your country here: https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/11181469?hl=enFamily Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) Education is supported by readers – not ads. To receive new posts and exclusive benefits to support you in your FSA recovery, consider subscribing today.
ATTENTION: Permissions Needed – All Rights Reserved
When referencing Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA)™ or Family Scapegoat Abuse™ in your original work and/or using quotes of 100 words or less, please use the following attribution (be sure to make my website a live link): “Family Scapegoating Abuse™ (or Family Scapegoat Abuse™) are terms coined by Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTP. They are based on over 15 years of qualitative and quantitative research studies on the abusive aspects of scapegoating dynamics impacting child victims and adult survivors. To learn more about FSA and its effects and access resources supporting FSA recovery, visit her website at https://www.scapegoatrecovery.com.” (End quote) For quotes over 100 words, contact me for Permissions at fsaexpert@proton.me. A reminder that altering my work (such as translating it, etc) is considered derivative and constitutes copyright infringement unless I grant permission for such alterations. – Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTP