Similarities between trauma bonding and Stockholm Syndrome include the development of emotional attachment to an abusive or captor figure and the presence of a survival mechanism. Both involve forming a bond as a means of self-preservation.
However, there are differences as well. Trauma bonding occurs in the context of ongoing abuse or mistreatment in a specific relationship, while Stockholm Syndrome is often associated with shorter-term hostage situations or situations involving a power imbalance. Additionally, the power imbalance in trauma bonding is typically one-sided, whereas in Stockholm Syndrome, it’s more externally imposed due to physical captivity.