Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response where a captive or abuse victim develops positive feelings toward their captor or abuser. It's considered a survival mechanism to manage stress and anxiety during captivity or abuse. The syndrome is characterized by the captive's positive feelings towards the captor, support of the captor's behaviors, and negative feelings towards authorities. The victim may also rationalize the abuse, perceive basic dignity as kindness, and feel powerless.
The term "Stockholm syndrome" originated from a 1973 bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, where hostages formed emotional bonds with their captors and defended them after being released. Although not a formal mental health diagnosis, it's a recognized pattern of emotional responses in abusive situations. It can occur in various contexts, including hostage situations, abusive relationships, child abuse, and sex trafficking. While relatively rare, with estimates suggesting it affects less than 8% of kidnapping victims, it highlights the complex psychological dynamics that can arise in threatening situations.
