Interpersonal Violence among College Students: Helping College Students Overcome Interpersonal Trauma
Helping College Students Overcome Interpersonal Trauma
College students are at the stage of socioemotional development where intimacy and commitment to a relationship with another person is of utmost importance to them. While fulfilling this developmental task, college students often encounter an unfortunate situation called interpersonal violence. Interpersonal violence is the intentional use of power or physical force against another person or group which is highly likely to adversely affect them. This, in turn, leads to interpersonal trauma, a traumatic experience that occurs when someone is harmed by another person or group of people.
Working with college students who have been victims of interpersonal violence, HopeNation Campus has data showing a prevalence of interpersonal violence among college students. A survey of lifetime and recent experiences of violence among college women revealed that more than half 52% (n = 457) of female undergraduate students reported having experienced at least one episode of violence in their lifetime while about 12% reported experiencing intimate partner violence or sexual violence during the preceding semester. The most common forms of interpersonal violence experienced by college students are sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking. Interpersonal violence can significantly impact students’ mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being.
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What is Interpersonal Trauma?
Interpersonal trauma involves events in which someone has been hurt by another person such as a stranger, an acquaintance, a friend or a loved one. Interpersonal trauma can result from interpersonal violence or what is commonly called intimate partner violence (or IPV), as well as from abuse such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect, accidents, crimes, and death of a loved one.
Types of Interpersonal Trauma
Physical Violence – being intentionally hit, slapped, pushed, choked, thrown objects, held down, locked in a room, locked out or treated in a way that one could be physically harmed by another person.
Sexual Violence – being forced (either attempted or completed) by another person to engage in non-consensual sexual activity. This can include rape and other unwanted and uncomfortable sexual experiences.
Verbal Abuse - being repeatedly yelled at, insulted, put down or frightened with words in or, controlled and not being listened to when you say “no”.
Emotional or Psychological Abuse – saying or doing things on purpose to hurt another person’s feelings such as repeatedly telling lies against them, showing extreme jealousy, excluding or ignoring them, or trying to keep them from friends and family.
Victim Blaming – involves holding another person responsible for being the victim of a sexual assault or other crime, such as, suggesting that the violence was caused by the victim rather than the abuser.
Threatening Behavior – entails speaking or writing words aimed at making another person feel afraid. This may include threatening to harm or kill another person or their family members, pets, or service animals; or to destroy the other person’s property or reputation.
Stalking – repeated contact by someone that makes another person feel afraid or harassed. This can be done by physically following them, calling them too often, or sending unwanted emails, texts, or social media messages to them.
Neglect – this is when a person does not look after the needs of someone under their care.
Factors Contributing to Interpersonal Trauma
Several factors that can contribute to interpersonal trauma include:
Substance Use: Alcohol and drug use are often linked to increased risk of interpersonal violence.
Stress and Mental Health: High stress levels, anxiety, and depression can contribute to both perpetration and victimization.
Peer Pressure and Social Norms: Peer influence and cultural acceptance of aggressive behaviors can perpetuate violence.
Lack of Awareness: Many students may not recognize certain behaviors as abusive or may lack the skills to manage conflicts healthily.
Impact of Interpersonal Trauma on College Students
Interpersonal trauma significantly impacts college students’ overall well-being. Here are some of the common areas:
Mental Health Issues: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation.
Academic Consequences: Difficulty concentrating, absenteeism, and lower academic performance.
Physical Health Problems: Chronic pain, sleep disturbances, and other stress-related health issues.
Social Withdrawal: Isolation from peers and difficulty forming new relationships.
Symptoms of Interpersonal Trauma
Interpersonal trauma can cause a range of responses, including cognitive changes, emotional responses, physical responses, behavioral changes, and existential or spiritual responses. This can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Also, chronic interpersonal trauma can lead to complex PTSD, which can cause problems with emotional self-regulation and interpersonal functioning. Below are some commonly reported interpersonal trauma responses:
Cognitive (e.g., memory problems, difficulty concentrating, inability to express oneself, self-blaming, etc.)
Emotional (e.g., anger, sadness, anxiety, shame, numbness, feeling overwhelmed, etc.)
Physical (e.g., fatigue, nausea, muscle tremors, hyperarousal, etc.)
Behavioral (e.g., avoidant behaviors, high-risk behaviors, sleep and appetite disturbances,
difficulties in relationships, etc.)Existential/Spiritual (e.g., despair about humanity, questioning safety, hopelessness, changes in your relationship to faith, etc.)
Strategies to Help College Students Overcome Interpersonal Trauma
Counseling and Mental Health Services: These would include providing access to trauma-informed counseling and offering group therapy for shared experiences and support.
Educational Programs: Organizing workshops on recognizing and preventing interpersonal violence. These programs would emphasize building healthy relationships and conflict resolution.
Peer Support Networks: This involves creating peer-led support groups and training peer mentors to provide guidance and emotional support.
Campus Safety Measures: Colleges should implement clear policies and procedures for reporting violence. College authorities should ensure availability of resources like campus police and emergency hotlines.
Faculty and Staff Training: College faculty and staff should be educated on how to recognize signs of trauma and respond appropriately. Colleges should encourage a supportive academic environment.
Community Partnerships: Colleges should collaborate with local organizations specializing in violence prevention and victim support. They should facilitate access to external resources like shelters and legal aid when necessary.
Promoting a Culture of Respect: Entire campuses should be engaged in creating environments that do not tolerate violence. College authorities should use campaigns to challenge harmful norms and behaviors.
Helping students overcome interpersonal trauma begins with understanding types of interpersonal trauma, its impact on college students and ways to recognize students presenting symptoms. Providing help to college students requires a holistic approach involving education, support services, and fostering a safe and inclusive campus culture.
Sources:
✓ Medically Reviewed By Casey Merrill, LPC-MHSP
