Intimate partner betrayal trauma can cause significant distress and may impact an individual’s ability to trust their partner and others in general. The study by Bernecker et al. (2021) investigates the relationship between intimate partner betrayal trauma and interpersonal trust, as well as the factors that may influence this relationship. The researchers conducted an online survey with 379 participants who reported experiencing intimate partner betrayal trauma, which was defined as “a major breach of trust in a committed romantic relationship.”
The results of the study showed that participants who experienced higher levels of intimate partner betrayal trauma reported lower levels of interpersonal trust. This finding is consistent with previous research that has shown a link between trauma and trust issues. The study also found that the degree of the betrayal, the severity of the emotional and physical reactions to the betrayal, and the time since the betrayal all played a role in predicting levels of interpersonal trust.
Additionally, Bernecker et al. (2021) examined the role of forgiveness in the relationship between intimate partner betrayal trauma and interpersonal trust. The results indicated that forgiveness may not necessarily predict higher levels of interpersonal trust. Instead, the researchers found that the relationship between forgiveness and interpersonal trust was moderated by the severity of the betrayal. Participants who reported a high degree of betrayal experienced a stronger negative relationship between forgiveness and interpersonal trust than those who reported a lower degree of betrayal.
The authors also explored the role of emotional expression in the relationship between intimate partner betrayal trauma and interpersonal trust. The results showed that emotional expression did not predict levels of interpersonal trust, but it did moderate the relationship between betrayal trauma and interpersonal trust. Specifically, the researchers found that participants who reported higher levels of emotional expression experienced a weaker negative relationship between betrayal trauma and interpersonal trust than those who reported lower levels of emotional expression.
Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the relationship between intimate partner betrayal trauma and interpersonal trust. The findings suggest that the degree of betrayal, severity of emotional and physical reactions, time since the betrayal, forgiveness, and emotional expression all play important roles in predicting levels of interpersonal trust. These findings can help inform interventions and treatments for individuals who have experienced intimate partner betrayal trauma and may struggle with issues related to trust.
One limitation of the study is that it relied on self-reported measures, which may be subject to biases and inaccuracies. Additionally, the study only included participants who reported experiencing intimate partner betrayal trauma, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other types of trauma or to individuals who have not experienced trauma. Nevertheless, the study provides important insights into the complex relationship between intimate partner betrayal trauma and interpersonal trust.
Reference:
Title: Trusting the Betrayer: An Investigation of Intimate Partner Betrayal Trauma and Interpersonal Trust
Authors: Bernecker, K., Jobe-Shields, L., & Friedland, M.
Year of publication: 2021
Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence
Volume: 36
Issue: 3-4
Pages: NP4164-NP4178
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519835485