INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND TRAUMA-INFORMED INTERVENTIONS
INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND TRAUMA-INFORMED INTERVENTIONS

Summary/Abstract: Relationships with others are essential for our psychological well-being. They offer support, make us feel truly seen and understood, and give us a sense of belonging. However, serious conflicts can completely disrupt this balance, reactivating deep traumas and leaving lasting emotional scars as well as difficulties in maintaining healthy connections. When handle tensions in a mature and constructive way, the likelihood of them turning into something traumatic drops significantly. Unhealthy patterns, such as avoiding conversations, passive-aggressive behavior, silent treatment, or unnecessary escalation, greatly increase our vulnerability to serious psychological issues, including post-traumatic stress. Recent research clearly shows a bidirectional relationship: poorly managed or unresolved conflicts can trigger or intensify trauma, while people who already carry unresolved trauma from the past often struggle greatly to resolve new conflicts, which in turn makes them more susceptible to repeated victimization. This article reviews the most relevant publications from the past year on this topic. It focuses especially on practical strategies for handling relationships during conflict and on the psychological consequences of interpersonal trauma, highlighting interventions that are supported by solid scientific evidence.

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