How Intergenerational Trauma Impacts Families

Intergenerational transmission of trauma may be understood as the ongoing impact of traumatic events and situations that happened in prior generations and continues to impact the current generation. Trauma can be passed down through a multitude of factors, including epigenetic processes that increase vulnerability to various mental disorders 1, repeated patterns of abusive or neglectful behavior, poor parent-child relationships, negative beliefs about parenting, personality disorders, substance abuse, family violence, sexual abuse, and unhealthy behavior patterns and attitudes 2. In some families, poor parenting and unsupportive family relationships are seen as normal and these patterns repeat — and cause damage — in subsequent generations. Many families hide sexual abuse for generations. Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse creates a highly toxic and damaging emotional atmosphere and warps interactions within the family. In families where there is a history of abuse, shame can become deeply ingrained. Internalized feelings of shame will damage perceptions of self that can lead to self-blame and self-harm. Shame can also encourage silence and avoidance of asking for help, leading to problems with finding closure or healing from early or ongoing trauma.3 Awareness, Education, and Understanding Awareness of intergenerational trauma can help reduce shame. Understanding how and why abuse and trauma are transmitted through the generations can increase compassion towar...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Abuse PTSD Trauma Violence & Aggression Anxiety Child Abuse intergenerational transmission Intergenerational Trauma Parenting posttraumatic stress trauma bonding Source Type: news