Victim–perpetrator dynamics through the lens of betrayal trauma theory

ABSTRACT

Interpersonal trauma exposure is linked with a host of seemingly disparate outcomes for victims, such as psychological distress, post-trauma appraisals (e.g., alienation, shame), poor cognitive functioning, expectations of harm in relationships, and revictimization risk. The presence of interpersonal trauma alone may not fully explain this range of outcomes. The current paper applies Betrayal Trauma Theory (BTT), which was originally articulated two decades ago as a framework for understanding memory disruptions following interpersonal trauma, as a framework to understand the diverse outcomes that can occur when interpersonal trauma is perpetrated by a close other. Implications for clinical work and future research are considered.

KEYWORDS:

• Appraisals
• betrayal trauma
• executive function
• schema
• theories

Notes

^1. Maureen reflects a composite of women we have heard from in our research on betrayal trauma exposure.