An overview of intergenerational trauma, discussing the ways in which trauma is transmitted across generations, and the potential impacts on individuals and relationships.
Sometimes, traumatic experiences can overwhelm our ability to cope, leaving us with emotional wounds or psychological distress. Just like a wound to your physical body, psychological injuries require care and attention to properly heal.
If left unchecked, unresolved trauma can be passed down through generations. Multiple factors contribute to this, from an increased vulnerability to mental illness, repeated patterns of neglectful behavior, sexual abuse, substance use, and other unhealthy behaviors. In some families, poor parenting and unsupportive family relationships that are seen as normal patterns can repeatedly cause damage to multiple generations.
Whether you're coping with the effects of intergenerational trauma or living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or both, you're far from alone. The first step to breaking the cycle is to acknowledge your trauma and understand its effects on your identity, relationships, and mental health.
Intergenerational trauma describes consistent and persistent years of traumatic challenges within families across generations. It involves the transmission (or sending down to subsequent generations) of the traumatic effects of an event. Sometimes, intergenerational trauma might begin with one individual family member’s traumatic experience. Other times, it can involve collective trauma affecting a larger community or ethnic, cultural, or racial group (also known as historical trauma).
Intergenerational trauma was initially identified among children of Holocaust survivors. In a 1988 study, researchers found that grandchildren of Holocaust survivors were overrepresented in psychiatric referrals by 300 percent.
Intergenerational trauma and historical trauma are also prevalent across other ethnic groups, including indigenous populations in North America and Australia, and Black communities in the United States. With that said, intergenerational trauma can affect anyone, and recognizing the signs of complex trauma can help families move forward.
Children experience the world through the eyes of their caregivers. Studies show that children mimic their parents' behaviors, and they learn how to cultivate relationships and attachment styles based on their parents' modeling. If left unchecked, generational trauma can take a serious toll on long-term relationship-building behaviors.
When an individual's emotional and mental health are compromised and they "suck it up" without resolving the trauma, the wounds continue to fester. Ultimately, these wounds can affect how an individual perceives and treats themselves—and these impacts can spill into relationships with friends, family members, and others.
Unfortunately, many trauma survivors fail to properly address their trauma, and family members often "cope" with intergenerational trauma using two unhealthy coping mechanisms:
If trauma is left unresolved, the strategies that family members use to "cope" with intergenerational trauma can set a precedent for future generations. The symptoms of unresolved trauma can lead to addictive behaviors (i.e, substance abuse), an inability to deal with conflict, psychological distress, low self-esteem, and other mental health issues.
Living with trauma can feel overwhelming, but it's possible to overcome the psychological effects of trauma and move forward. Here are some ways to start addressing and healing psychological trauma:
Psychological trauma can take a serious toll on our relationships, identity, and mental health, and acknowledging the impact of trauma is the first step to moving forward and healing our relationships. Therapy can help trauma survivors build resilience, recognize the effects of trauma, and heal from intergenerational trauma.
At Charlie Health, we offer comprehensive mental health treatment for adolescents, young adults, and their families. Our virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP) combines individual psychotherapy, group therapy, family therapy customized for each patient's unique needs. We can also arrange ongoing psychiatric support if needed. We are trauma-informed and want to help you and your family heal.
Our experienced, compassionate mental health providers are available to listen to your needs, navigate your treatment options, and help you start the healing process.
Reaching out takes courage. We’re here to listen to your needs, answer your questions, and match you with an appropriate treatment plan.
Connect with licensed professionals today.
Call 1 (866) 491-5196