What occurs if a person is subjected to physical violence for an extended period of time, such as burning, beating, or struggling? One out of every four females and one out of every seven men had suffered physical violence in their relationship at some point in their lives (Black et al., 2011). Survivors of physical or psychological abuse frequently develop major depressive disorder (MDD) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In contrast, some people may form an emotional bond with the abuser and develop compassion for him or her. This is known as “Stockholm syndrome” or “trauma bonding” (Cabrera, 2022).
What is Stockholm syndrome?
Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response in which an abuse victim develops empathy for or a link with the abuser. This word was coined in 1973 by Nils Bejerot, a psychiatrist and criminologist, to describe the aftermath of a bank heist in Stockholm, Sweden. Two captors kidnapped eight victims in the incident. Authorities determined that the hostages acquired an emotional attachment and empathy with their captors after six days in captivity. Despite their captivity, they defended their captors and refused to testify against them (Eske, 2020).
What types of abuse are more likely to trigger Stockholm syndrome?
The phenomenon of Stockholm syndrome occurs in different types of maltreatment, such as being held captive, domestic violence, or child sexual abuse. Although victims of all types of abuse may be at risk of developing Stockholm syndrome, research suggests that individuals who have experienced child sexual abuse may be particularly susceptible to developing the syndrome (Cabrera, 2022).
What is PTSD?
The victim of domestic abuse often experiences depression and anxiety, and sometimes it leaves a mark as PTSD. Nearly 66% of those who went through domestic violence experienced PTSD (Twelis, 2021). PTSD is a psychological disorder triggered by being involved in or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms potentially include anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, and intrusive thoughts associated with the event. While many individuals experience short-term difficulty adjusting and adapting, those with PTSD may face persistent symptoms that disrupt their daily lives (Mayo Clinic, 2018).
The relationship between Stockholm syndrome and PTSD
An empirical study conducted in 1994 found that Stockholm syndrome involves a mixture of denial of reality and an attempt to adapt and cope with the situation. This reaction is akin to some form of coping strategy, such as wishful thinking or avoidance coping. In the wishful thinking strategy, the victim imagines that the traumatic event never happened, denies its occurrence, or blames themselves for the event’s cause. In avoidance coping, victims ignore trauma, pretending they do not have one. Given that wishful thinking and avoidance coping mechanisms are strongly linked to the severity of PTSD, researchers have investigated whether Stockholm syndrome has a similar association with PTSD. However, the examination failed to find any significant correlation, possibly due to limitations in sample size, measurement validity, and other factors. They conclude that further research is needed to fully educate the public about the relationship between Stockholm syndrome and PTSD (Demarest, 2009).
Conclusion
To sum up, Stockholm syndrome is a complex response to trauma in which the victim of abuse develops an empathy or emotional bond with the abuser. While it can occur in different types of maltreatment, research suggests that those who have been through child sexual abuse are likelier to experience Stockholm syndrome than other types of abuse. Victims of physical and psychological abuse often experience post-traumatic stress disorder. While coping strategies such as wishful thinking and avoidance coping are associated with the severity of PTSD, researchers found no significant correlation between Stockholm syndrome and PTSD. Further research is needed to fully understand these two complex psychological conditions.
References
Black, L., Basile, K., Breiding, M., Smith, S., Walters, M., Merrick, M., Chen, J., Sevens, M. (2011). National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta, Georgia. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs_report2010-a.pdf [Accessed 1 May 2023].
Cabrera, K. (2022). SUSCEPTIBILITY AND THE STOCKHOLM SYNDROME. [online] Available at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2371&context=honorstheses [Accessed 6 May 2023]
Demarest, R. (2009). The Relationship Between Stockholm Syndrome and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Battered Women. [online] Available at: http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/35/the-relationship-between-stockholm-syndrome-and-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-in-battered-women [Accessed 5 May 2023]
Eske, J. (2020). What is Stockholm Syndrome? [online] Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/stockholm-syndrome#examples [Accessed 2 May 2023]
Mayo Clinic (2018). Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Symptoms and Causes. [online] Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967 [Accessed 6 May 2023]
Thewlis, H. (2021). HOW DOES DOMESTIC ABUSE IMPACT A VICTIM’S MENTAL HEALTH? #16DAYSOFACTION. [online] Available at: https://www.ramsdens.co.uk/blog/how-does-domestic-abuse-impact-victims-mental-health [Accessed 2 May 2023].
