In the complex landscape of trauma recovery, power dynamics present unique challenges that can either facilitate healing or inadvertently retraumatize individuals. As professionals working with trauma survivors, understanding how power struggles impact those with trauma histories is essential to providing effective support. This blog explores trauma responses during power struggles and offers evidence-based strategies for navigating these dynamics successfully.

Trauma Responses During Power Struggles

Power struggles can impact individuals with trauma histories in profound ways. When individuals with trauma histories encounter situations involving power imbalances, their nervous systems often respond as if they’re facing the original threat. This biological response is not a conscious choice but rather an automatic protective mechanism developed during traumatic experiences.
Research shows that power struggles can trigger:

• Reactivation of traumatic experiences: When an individual is involved in power dynamics that mirror previous trauma, they may experience physiological and psychological reactions similar to their original trauma response
• Autonomic nervous system activation: Power imbalances can trigger sympathetic (fight/flight) or parasympathetic (freeze/submit) responses in trauma survivors
• Threat perception: Individuals with trauma histories often demonstrate heightened sensitivity to perceived power threats, interpreting ambiguous situations as dangerous

Neurobiological Effects

The body’s response to perceived threats during power struggles isn’t merely psychological but deeply physiological:

• Power struggles can activate the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal), increasing cortisol and stress hormones in trauma survivors at higher rates than in non-traumatized individuals (Dedovic, et al, 2009)
• Neuroimaging studies show that confrontational power dynamics can trigger hyperactivation in the amygdala and reduced activity in prefrontal regulatory regions among trauma survivors (Shin, Rauch, & Pitman, 2006

Psychological Effects

Beyond the neurobiological impact, power struggles can have significant psychological consequences:

• Reinforcement of negative beliefs: Power struggles can strengthen trauma-related negative cognitions about safety, trust, control, and self-worth
• Relationship difficulties: Trauma survivors often experience interpersonal challenges during power negotiations, including heightened emotional reactivity and difficulties with boundary-setting
• Dissociation: Some trauma survivors respond to power conflicts with dissociative responses, disconnecting from emotional experiences as a protective mechanism

Recognizing Trauma Responses in Behavior

Understanding how trauma manifests behaviorally for each person during power struggles is important in determining effective intervention in these situations. Behaviors may occur as a means for the individual to manage overwhelming emotions, establish safety, or protect oneself.

Fight Responses

Some individuals respond to perceived power threats with behaviors associated with the fight response:

• Reactive aggression: Studies show trauma survivors may display heightened verbal or physical aggression during perceived power threats (Taft, et al, 2012)
• Argumentativeness: Insistent need to be heard or to “win” the confrontation, demonstrated through yelling, arguing, verbal threats, etc.
• Controlling behaviors: Attempts to dominate situations to prevent feeling powerless
• Rigid stance-taking: Difficulty compromising or seeing alternative perspectives during conflicts

Flight Responses

Others may engage in behaviors associated with avoiding the perceived threat:

• Withdrawal and avoidance: Physically or emotionally removing themselves from power-laden situations
• People-pleasing: Excessive compliance to avoid conflict
• Procrastination: Delaying engagement with authority figures or challenging situations
• Minimization: Downplaying their own needs to prevent escalation

Freeze Responses

Some trauma survivors may display freeze responses:

• Emotional numbing: Appearing detached or unresponsive during confrontations
• Analysis paralysis: Inability to make decisions when feeling pressured
• Psychological absence: Being physically present but mentally “checked out”
• Speech difficulties: During confrontation, the ability to articulate thoughts or feelings may become impaired

Fawn Responses

The fawn response represents a survival strategy involving appeasing the perceived threat:

• Excessive accommodation: Becoming overly compliant to appease others
• Abandoning boundaries: Ignoring personal safety limits to maintain relationships
• Difficulty saying “no”: Agreeing to things despite personal discomfort
• Identity shifting: Adapting personality to match perceived expectations

Interpersonal Patterns

Beyond these specific responses, trauma can manifest in broader interpersonal patterns:

• Oscillation between extremes: Moving between behaviors that may be classified as confrontational (e.g., aggression) or avoidant (e.g., refusing to advocate for oneself to avoid escalation), sometimes rapidly
• Difficulty with direct communication: Struggling to express needs clearly during power negotiations
• Trust issues: Quick to perceive betrayal or exploitation in authority relationships

Physical Manifestations

Trauma responses also frequently manifest physically:

• Somatic responses: Headaches, digestive issues, muscle tension, and other physical symptoms may occur during and following power conflicts
• Altered energy levels: Either hyperarousal (agitation, e.g., inability to sit still) or hypoarousal (lethargy, exhaustion)
• Sleep disturbances: Insomnia or nightmares following difficult power interactions

Strategies for Professionals to Avoid Power Struggles

Given these complex responses and the negative impact power struggles have on individuals and our rapport with them, how can professionals work effectively with trauma survivors and avoid situations that lead to power struggles? Safety-Care provides several recommendations for avoiding power struggle situations and focus on support, rather than control.

Monitor Your Own Behavior

Staff behavior has an effect on the behavior of the individuals we support. By becoming self-aware, we can monitor our own behavior in stressful situations:

• Physical behavior: maintain a respectful distance from the person and approach within their line of vision, avoiding the midline. Ask the person if they preferred to be touched prior to using physical touch to prompt or assist them. Avoid posturing or intimidating stances.
• Verbal behavior: communicate respect and promote dignity through polite language (e.g., when giving a directive you can still say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’). Use a positive, friendly tone and low volume.

Create Transparent Processes

Transparent processes help build and maintain rapport and provide a structured, supportive environment:

• Clear communication: Explain procedures and expectations clearly and concisely, and provide prompts or reminders of the expectations as needed.
• Predictable structure: Maintain consistent routines and boundaries while allowing appropriate flexibility. Adjust your expectations when necessary for safety.
• Decision-making transparency: Be explicit about how and why decisions are made or why procedures are in place (e.g., to keep everyone safe).

Prioritize Collaboration

Collaboration allows the individual to be actively involved in and take ownership of their own learning and outcomes:

• Shared decision-making: Include the individual in treatment planning and goal setting.
• Regular feedback opportunities: Create structured ways for clients to provide input. Be sure to actively listen. Sometimes it is helpful to restate what the person said to confirm you are on the same page.
• Choice whenever possible: Offer meaningful options rather than directives throughout the day when possible.

Respond Effectively to Trauma Reactions

If power struggles do occur, it helps to understand behaviors as trauma responses to intervene appropriately and effectively in context. Staff should remain calm and continue using a low tone and moderate volume if speaking to the individual, and do not take things personally.

Build Safety and Trust

Creating safety is foundational to all trauma work:

• Physical safety: Ensure environments feel and are safe. Remove vulnerable individuals and potentially dangerous items. Minimize noises if possible. Provide the person with plenty of space and do not physically block exits.
• Emotional safety: Validate experiences and emotions without judgment
• Consistency and reliability: Follow through on commitments without becoming rigid on having things “my way” or “because I said so.”

Practice Self-Awareness

Practicing self-awareness in the moment helps us as professionals to avoid escalating the situation.

Safety-Care recommends the following strategies:

• Don’t take things personally: Regardless of what the person is saying or doing, continue acting in a professional manner
• Be aware of your verbal behavior: avoid shaming, humiliating, or making fun of the person (i.e., be careful how you use humor, especially sarcasm), making threats, or nagging. Instead, think about how you might offer choices, help, or more time. Don’t set unreasonable or escalating criteria for success – instead, restate expectations clearly and concisely.
• Non-verbal awareness: Pay attention to your body language, facial expressions, and physical posture. Maintain a confident, friendly posture and facial expression and avoid intimidating behaviors like pointing fingers, glaring, or using proximity to control behavior.
• Active listening: Demonstrate genuine understanding before responding
• Self-regulation: Develop skills to manage personal stress responses. Consider things like taking deep breaths, counting to yourself, or repeating a personal mantra. When necessary (and possible) ask another staff to assist so you can take a break.

Conclusion

Power struggles with trauma survivors aren’t simply interpersonal conflicts but complex interactions involving neurobiological, psychological, and relational factors. By understanding trauma responses during power struggles and implementing trauma-informed approaches, professionals can create environments that minimize harmful power dynamics and support healing.
Remember that the behaviors exhibited during power struggles often represent adaptations that once helped the person survive traumatic circumstances. Approaching these behaviors with empathy rather than judgment opens the door to deeper understanding and more effective interventions.

References

Dedovic, K., Duchesne, A., Andrews, J., Engert, V., Pruessner, J.C. (2009). The brain and the stress axis: the neural correlates of cortisol regulation in response to stress. NeuroImage, 47(3), 864-871. DOI:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.05.074

Huckshorn, K. A. (2004). Reducing seclusion & restraint use in mental health settings: Core strategies for prevention. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 42(9), 22-33.
Knight, C. (2018). Trauma-informed supervision: Historical antecedents, current practice, and future directions. The Clinical Supervisor, 37(1), 7-37.

Shi, L.M., Rauch, S.L., & Pitman, R.K. (2006). Amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, and hippocampal function in PTSD. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1071, 67-79. DOI:10.1196/annals.1364.007

Taft, C.T., Creech, S.K., Kachadourian, L.K. (2012). Assessment and treatment of posttraumatic anger and aggression: a review. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 49(5), 777-788. DOI:10.1682/JRRD.2011.09.0156