In the context of a relationship, trust is a feeling of confidence that one's partner will act in their best interests and safeguard them from harm. It can be defined as an emotional attachment based on past experiences and knowledge about another person. Trust can also refer to feelings of safety and security while interacting with someone else. Romantic partners who have been exposed to traumatic events such as combat stress may experience changes in their perception of trust due to alterations in brain function, memory storage, and social interaction. These effects are known as "trauma-related disorders" and include symptoms like hypervigilance, anxiety, depression, flashbacks, insomnia, nightmares, difficulty concentrating, impulsiveness, self-blame, guilt, hopelessness, anger outbursts, and suicidal thoughts.
One way repeated exposure to combat stress alters the perception of trust is through changes in the way individuals perceive others. Trauma survivors often display heightened reactions to potentially threatening situations, leading them to interpret neutral interactions as hostile or aggressive.
A spouse might misinterpret a partner's tone of voice or body language during an argument as threatening when it was intended to be calm and rational. This leads to a breakdown of communication and strains the relationship.
Another way combat stress affects trust is by changing how memories are stored. The hippocampus, responsible for long-term memory formation and recall, is sensitive to stress hormones like cortisol. Prolonged exposure to high levels of these hormones can damage this region, making it difficult to remember positive memories related to romantic partners. This makes it challenging for trauma survivors to recall moments of intimacy and affection from their relationships, further eroding feelings of trust and closeness.
Combat stress also alters interpersonal dynamics between couples due to increased arousal and activation of the fight-or-flight response system. Survivors may become hyper-alert to threats and overreact to minor stimuli that do not warrant such a reaction. They may also experience dissociation, where they feel detached from their bodies and emotions. These factors can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings in close relationships.
In addition to alterations in cognitive processes, combat stress can change the physiological responses associated with trust. Traumatic experiences increase heart rate variability, which is linked to decreased trustworthiness perceptions.
Trauma survivors may have lower oxytocin levels, a hormone involved in bonding and attachment. Low oxytocin levels can result in reduced feelings of safety and security when interacting with loved ones.
Repeated exposure to combat stress has been shown to impact social interactions more broadly. Survivors may become less willing to engage in intimate behaviors or seek out supportive relationships due to fear of rejection or betrayal. They may avoid situations that remind them of past trauma, leading to isolation and loneliness.
Combat stress significantly affects an individual's perception of trust in romantic partners by altering memory formation, interpersonal dynamics, and physiological responses. This can create challenges for both parties in maintaining healthy relationships and seeking professional help is essential to address these issues. It's important to recognize the impact of trauma on one's partner and be patient during recovery periods while supporting their needs and communicating openly about expectations.
In what ways does repeated exposure to combat stress alter the perception of trust in romantic partners?
Repetitive exposure to combat stress has been shown to cause individuals to become hypervigilant and suspicious, which may make it difficult for them to maintain healthy relationships with others (Shahar et al. , 2016).