The Enduring Effects of Intergenerational Trauma on Families

Inter-generational traumas and their lasting effects on individuals and families have been increasingly recognised as a critical aspect of mental health and well-being in recent years.

Inter-generational trauma occurs when adverse events or experiences are passed down through generations, often in subtle and complex ways.

It can manifest where descendants of those who experienced a traumatic event, exhibit similar emotional and behavioural reactions to that of the parent or ancestor who experienced the traumatic event.

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines inter-generational trauma as the expression of trauma-related challenges in the descendants of those who initially experienced the trauma.

Historical trauma is a closely related concept too. This refers to inter-generational trauma experienced by specific cultural, racial, or ethnic groups.

Put in other words, the roots of our triggers can be as much, if not more, about the past than the present.

Anyone can experience inter-generational trauma, and some may argue that everyone experiences this phenomenon to some degree.

However, people from marginalised groups, including People of Colour, and those from lower socioeconomic classes going back generations, may have more pronounced experiences with inter-generational trauma.

Descendants of people who have faced violence or hardships, such as living in war zones or experiencing other significant adversities, may also be more likely to experience inter-generational trauma.

So, in short, you may not have been abused, faced discrimination, or lived through a war, but your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents might have, and trauma responses experienced today may sometimes have roots in past events that you may not have been present for originally.

Our responses to stress and trauma can differ, and our mental and physical health may be influenced by these issues. Looking into your past can therefore help improve your present and future well-being.

Inter0generational trauma can be transmitted in various ways, from genetics to family discussions.

Epigenetic's, which examines how behaviours and environments can impact gene function, has also contributed to understanding how trauma can be passed down through generations.

To illustrate this, consider a hypothetical family with a history of fleeing from war-torn regions. In this family, the grandparents had to escape a war in their home country, facing numerous hardships and witnessing acts of violence.

This traumatic experience not only affected them psychologically but may have also led to epigenetic changes, which can alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence itself.

These epigenetic changes can then be passed down to their children and grandchildren, potentially pre-disposing them to heightened stress responses or creating vulnerability for mental health issues.

In addition to genetic transmission, the trauma may also be passed down through family discussions, storytelling, and shared cultural experiences.

For instance, the grandparents might share their stories of survival and loss with their children, who then grow up hearing these accounts and internalising the emotions tied to them.

As a result, the children may develop a heightened sense of fear or anxiety, even though they did not directly experience the war themselves.

These family discussions can also shape the beliefs, values, and coping mechanisms of younger generations.

For example, the grandparents’ experiences may instil in their children a strong sense of resilience and resourcefulness, but also a mistrust of others, or a need to constantly be prepared for the worst.

In turn, these attitudes and behaviours may be passed down to the grandchildren, perpetuating the inter-generational transmission of trauma.

In this example, the combination of genetics, family discussions, and cultural factors all play a role in transmitting intergenerational trauma, emphasising the complex and multifaceted nature of this phenomenon.

How People Are Affected By Inter-generational Trauma

Inter-generational trauma can impact individuals and families differently. Some families may grow closer, while others may drift apart.

It can result in disconnection, denial, detachment, distance, impaired self-esteem, trauma bonding, estrangement, neglect, abuse, and violence.

Trauma and stress can also contribute to a variety of negative health outcomes, which may include chronic pain, certain illnesses, and behaviours that can affect overall wellness.

For example, experiencing inter-generational trauma can lead to increased anxiety and depression, with some people even grappling with suicidal ideation as a consequence of it.

Poor sleep hygiene, another consequence of inter-generational trauma, can further exacerbate mental health issues and hinder the body’s ability to heal.

Trauma and stress are also known to increase the risk of developing heart disease, substance use disorders (SUD), and diabetes.

Black Americans, for example, are consistently cited as having a higher likelihood of chronic diseases and cancer.

Inter-generational trauma for Black Americans, can stem from a history of systemic racism, slavery, and discrimination.

The physiological effects of chronic stress and trauma may alter the function of various bodily systems, making people more susceptible to chronic diseases.

The psychological impact of inter-generational trauma can then also lead to maladaptive coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse, which further exacerbate the risk of developing illnesses.

While improving diet and exercise habits is often recommended as a solution, the direct connection between inter-generational trauma and these conditions frequently goes unaddressed.

To effectively address these health disparities, we need to recognise and confront the underlying inter-generational trauma that many marginalised communities face.

By doing so, we can begin to develop more comprehensive and targeted solutions for improving overall health and well-being, which goes beyond merely recommending better diet and exercise habits.

Healing inter-generational trauma is an ongoing process and can involve practices that encourage being in tune with one’s body.

Various therapeutic approaches can help, including psychoanalysis, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic therapy, internal family systems (IFS), prolonged exposure therapy (PE), and cognitive processing therapy (CPT).

Most importantly perhaps though, is that we simply need to be acknowledging this kind of trauma and its origins — which is important for holding space for those experiencing it.