During human development, both children and adults are exposed to various traumas that can impact their emotional wellbeing. Trauma is an experience of intense distress, which leads to feelings of fear, helplessness, and terror. While these experiences can be scary, they have also been shown to increase emotional closeness among individuals who share them. This is because shared traumatic events create a sense of bonding and understanding between people that facilitate trust, attachment, and cohesion within groups or relationships.
When individuals face similar stressors together, such as war, natural disasters, or accidents, they often develop a strong connection that strengthens their relationship dynamics. This shared experience creates a common ground wherein participants feel more connected to one another than before the event occurred. Shared trauma leads to an increased level of empathy for each other's struggles and helps build mutual respect. As such, it fosters a feeling of belonging and safety, resulting in greater trust, attachment, and cohesion within the group.
Shared traumatic experiences may lead to a deeper understanding of others' perspectives and emotions.
When two people go through a car accident together, they become more aware of each other's vulnerabilities and insecurities. This allows them to better understand how their actions affect the people around them and thus strengthens their ability to communicate effectively with one another. It also makes them more responsive to one another's needs and more open-minded towards alternative ways of thinking.
Not all traumatic experiences result in positive outcomes. People exposed to sexual assault, domestic violence, or childhood abuse may find it difficult to form healthy attachments due to feelings of shame, guilt, and fear. These individuals may have difficulty trusting others or forming intimate relationships, leading to isolation and loneliness. In some cases, these negative effects can last for years, making it harder for the individual to establish meaningful connections with others.
Shared traumatic experiences impact relational trust, attachment, and cohesion depending on how well participants manage the aftermath. When faced with stressors like war or natural disasters, people who support each other can use this experience as a foundation for building strong bonds and becoming closer than before.
If left unaddressed or not supported properly, trauma can cause significant damage that hinders future relationship development.
How do shared traumatic experiences affect relational trust, attachment, and cohesion?
Shared traumatic experiences can have significant effects on relational trust, attachment, and cohesion among individuals. Trauma is often experienced as isolating, causing people to feel disconnected from others and distrustful of their support systems. This can make it difficult for individuals to build strong relationships and form secure attachments with partners and loved ones. In addition, trauma may create feelings of shame and guilt that can further erode trust and intimacy within relationships.