Investigating relational uncertainty and trauma among romantic partners: a theoretical roadmap

Abstract Traumatic events, such as car accidents, interpersonal violence, and natural disasters, can create a sense of horror, fear, helplessness, and/or threaten people’s well-being (National Institute of Mental Health, 2022). The chaos that ensues from a traumatic event can disrupt the functioning of a person’s romantic relationship and create an environment ripe for relational uncertainty. As a result, many scholarly questions arise about the connections among relational uncertainty, communication, and trauma. However, a guide for determining the theoretical lens best suited for explorations of the aforementioned questions remains to be explicated. To fill this gap, I employ a critical narrative review of the literature to identify, evaluate, and critique the uncertainty theories most advantageous for investigating relational uncertainty among couples navigating the aftermath of traumatic events.