The way in which individuals perceive and react to betrayals of trust has been linked with a wide range of mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.
Less is known about how trust violations can affect the way people manage their emotions and attachments. In this study, we will explore the potential link between breaches of sexual trust and psychological regulation, attachment security, and relational resilience.
Trust, Emotional Regulation, and Attachment Security
Trust refers to an individual's belief that another person will act in their best interest and keep their promises. Breach of trust occurs when one party fails to live up to these expectations. When trust is broken, it can have profound consequences for individuals' well-being and relationships. Research shows that trust plays an important role in emotion regulation, attachment security, and relationship functioning. Individuals who experience frequent or severe betrayals may struggle with negative emotions like anger, jealousy, guilt, and sadness. This can make it challenging for them to effectively cope with day-to-day stresses and maintain healthy relationships. People who feel securely attached to others tend to have more positive emotions and better social support than those who are insecurely attached. They also seem to be more likely to engage in adaptive behaviors and have higher levels of trust. Therefore, understanding how betrayal impacts trust and attachment may shed light on why some people have difficulty managing their emotions or maintaining stable, satisfying relationships.
Impact of Betrayal on Relationship Dynamics
When a romantic partner has sex outside of the relationship, they break the implicit promise made to remain monogamous. This violation not only damages the relationship but can also threaten its survival. In fact, research suggests that infidelity is one of the most common reasons couples seek therapy. The extent to which this breach of trust affects relational resilience depends on several factors including the severity of the behavior (i.e., whether it was a one-time event vs. a pattern), the nature of the relationship beforehand, and individual differences such as personality and history of trauma.
Individuals who experienced childhood maltreatment may be particularly vulnerable to distrust and interpersonal conflict following a betrayal.
There is evidence that many couples eventually heal from infidelity and move forward together. How? One possibility is that partners can learn to rebuild trust through increased communication, forgiveness, and commitment to change. Another potential explanation is that the experience creates an opportunity for growth and closeness by forcing both parties to work towards solutions rather than ignoring problems.
Breaches of sexual trust appear to disrupt psychological regulation, attachment security, and relational resiliency. Individuals who feel emotionally unregulated are less likely to form secure attachments and develop healthy relationships. Breaching trust in a relationship also reduces the likelihood of successful reconciliation or long-term recovery. While some couples manage to overcome these challenges, others struggle to repair their bond. Understanding how trust impacts emotional processing and attachment may help identify new strategies for promoting resilient romantic connections.
How do breaches of sexual trust impact emotional regulation, attachment, and relational resilience?
Breaches of sexual trust can have a significant impact on emotional regulation, attachment, and relational resilience. When someone experiences betrayal or violation of trust in their intimate relationship, they may experience feelings of hurt, anger, shame, and anxiety that are difficult to process and manage (Fisher et al. , 2018). This can lead to difficulty regulating their emotions, which can further damage relationships and affect their overall well-being.