Interpersonal Features in Complex Trauma Etiology, Consequences, and Treatment: A Literature Review

Complex trauma is a much-debated construct and research findings are dispersed due to, for example, the lack of conceptual clarity about the core features constituting complex trauma and its sequalae. Recently, there has been a vast expansion of research studies on interpersonal features, which is fundamental in understanding complex trauma. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature with regard to this dimension. We found that trauma research stresses the importance of interpersonal features on three major levels. First, complex trauma is an umbrella term encompassing prolonged and repeated harmful events that typically occur in the interpersonal sphere. A second line of research focuses on the interpersonal difficulties associated with complex trauma, which can be broadly divided into two related categories: behavioral disruptions and distorted interpersonal schemata. Third, researchers address the importance of interpersonal difficulties in the treatment of complex trauma, especially the formation of the therapeutic alliance. Our literature review reveals that these three research areas are interconnected through the concept of core interpersonal schemata. We proclaim that further research should aim at a deeper understanding of the nature of these interpersonal schemata, the ways they develop, and the processes through which they can change.