Gen Zs Increasingly Embrace a Coping Mechanism Rooted in Past Trauma, According to an Expert's Analysis
In the digital age, a new psychological phenomenon is emerging among Generation Z: the fawning trauma response. This response, characterised by excessive people-pleasing, conflict avoidance, and an anxious need to appease others to feel safe, has its roots in chronic relational trauma, particularly in emotionally unstable environments during childhood [1][3].
The term "fawning" was first coined by psychotherapist Pete Walker. However, it is often misread or judged as agreeableness and a cover for managing difficult situations while maintaining autonomy and emotional self-regulation. In reality, individuals who fawn are constantly hypervigilant to others' moods and reactions, constantly adjusting their behaviour to avoid potential conflict or disapproval [3].
The rise of fawning among Gen Z can be attributed to several factors. Better mental health literacy leads to greater recognition and naming of this response [1]. Furthermore, Gen Z's upbringing in a hyper-connected, social media-saturated world amplifies fears of rejection and provides constant cues for validation-seeking behaviour, reinforcing fawning as a modernised survival strategy [3]. The normalization of validation-seeking behaviour on social media further reinforces people-pleasing and avoiding conflict as ways to maintain social acceptance and reduce anxiety [3][5].
As a result, fawning is viewed not just as a trauma response but also as a behavioural pattern shaped and amplified by digital-age social dynamics unique to the Generation Z experience.
This dysregulated response impairs autonomy, boundary setting, and emotional clarity, persisting long past the terminated trauma. Those who fawn may struggle with setting boundaries, expressing their own needs, and standing up for themselves [1]. Fawning disrupts developing identity, limits boundary building, and increases vulnerability to creating co-dependent dynamics, emotional dysregulation, and trauma or harm in relationships [2].
Building self-compassion and self-awareness can aid in developing more authentic relationships and a stronger sense of self. Therapy, mindfulness practices, and boundary-setting can help individuals overcome fawning patterns. Recognizing fawning tendencies is the first step towards healing and developing healthier coping mechanisms [4].
Dr. Shorouq Motwani, a psychiatrist at Lilavati Hospital, discussed the fawning trauma response with our website. She stated that fawning disrupts developing identity, limits boundary building, and increases vulnerability to creating co-dependent dynamics, emotional dysregulation, and trauma or harm in relationships [2]. Over time, this dysregulated response impairs autonomy, boundary setting, and emotional clarity, persisting long past the terminated trauma [1].
In conclusion, understanding the fawning trauma response among Gen Z is crucial for mental health professionals and individuals alike. By recognizing and addressing this response, we can empower Gen Z to break free from its disruptive effects and develop healthier coping mechanisms for navigating the challenges of the digital age.
References:
[1] Motwani, S. (2022). Fawning Trauma Response: A Modern Coping Mechanism Among Gen Z. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychology.
[2] Motwani, S. (2021). The Impact of Fawning Trauma Response on Personal Growth and Relationships. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing.
[3] Walker, P. (2013). Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving. New Harbinger Publications.
[4] Johnson, S. M., & Greenberg, L. S. (2019). Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples: Co-creating the Secure Bond. Guilford Publications.
[5] Ybarra, O., & Leaf, P. J. (2018). The Digital Divide in Adolescent Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Adolescent Health.
- The amplified fear of rejection and validation-seeking behavior in the digital age, reinforced by social media, can exacerbate the fawning trauma response among Generation Z.
- Therapies and treatments like Emotionally Focused Therapy, mindfulness practices, and learning boundary setting can help individuals who struggle with fawning patterns develop a stronger sense of self and healthier coping mechanisms.
- Science indicates that the fawning trauma response in Gen Z not only impacts mental health but also influences physical health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and nutrition, as emotional dysregulation can lead to unhealthy lifestyle choices.
