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Stockholm Syndrome

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Abstract

Chapter 6 describes how Stockholm syndrome and its aftereffects can be better understood and informed by relational competence theory (RCT). This chapter therefore proposes a systemic account of the bonding and role reversal inherent in situations of traumatic entrapment—an account grounded in RCT. This chapter integrates explanatory threads in the existing literature on Stockholm syndrome with the RCT constructs of distance and temporal regulation, as well as their representation in self-identity processes and interpersonal styles. In addition, Chapter 6 outlines how the deadly drama triangle taken together with RCT can be beneficial in understanding the complexities of the intra- and interpersonal dynamics of Stockholm syndrome.

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Hooper, L.M., L’Abate, L., Sweeney, L.G., Gianesini, G., Jankowski, P.J. (2014). Stockholm Syndrome. In: Models of Psychopathology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8081-5_6

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