Victims in the Outward Adjustment stage may exhibit what behavior?

Victims in the Outward Adjustment stage may exhibit denial of the occurrence or impact of the assault as a coping mechanism. This stage often involves individuals attempting to return to their daily lives and may outwardly appear to be functioning normally. However, internally, they might struggle with feelings of trauma, confusion, or emotional distress. Denial acts as a psychological defense to minimize the emotional pain associated with the trauma, allowing them to navigate their routines even while grappling with the aftermath of the event.

In contrast, behaviors such as fully integrating trauma, expressing emotions freely, or seeking immediate justice typically characterize other phases of trauma response, rather than the outward adjustment phase. During this specific stage, victims may not yet fully confront or process their trauma, leading to a tendency to deny its significance or their feelings about it.