Children should always be given the chance to start their lives on a healthy and happy note.

However, there are circumstances they could face that could impact their mental and emotional wellbeing, and these influences could have long-lasting effects on their overall health and even on the health of generations to come. One of these circumstances is trauma.

What is trauma?

Trauma is the brain’s response to a distressing or deeply disturbing event or events. These could range from physical abuse or assault, accidents, natural disasters, or even the sudden death of a loved one.

Psychological trauma, on the other hand, could result from situations such as ongoing bullying, emotional or verbal abuse, or a traumatic experience that happened over a prolonged period. The effects of these experiences could extend beyond just the individual who underwent the event or events.

Inter-generational Trauma

Inter-generational trauma refers to the passing down of the psychological effects of trauma from one generation to another. It’s also known as transgenerational trauma or transgenerational transmission of trauma.

This occurs when the trauma experienced by the first generation has a profound effect on the subsequent generations, even if they didn’t undergo the same experience themselves.

The Mechanism of Inter-generational Trauma

Inter-generational trauma has been studied in different contexts to establish the effects and the mechanisms driving the trauma. One notable mechanism that drives inter-generational trauma is epigenetics.

Epigenetics refers to the biological changes that occur in genes that don’t involve changes in the underlying DNA sequence.

Epigenetic changes can be triggered by various environmental or psychological factors such as substance abuse, extreme stress, or PTSD, as seen in individuals who have experienced significant adversity or trauma.

These factors could modify the way genes are expressed in the brain, creating lasting psychological effects which could go on to affect the future generations in the family tree.

Examples of Trauma in the Family Context

Several examples of inter-generational trauma exist in families, and they include:.

Childhood Emotional Neglect

One of the most common forms of inter-generational trauma is childhood emotional neglect.

This can occur when the parents or caregivers of the child are emotionally unavailable or neglect to provide emotional support, guidance, and other forms of socialization. Children raised in such environments can grow up with severe trauma and suffer severe psychological and emotional problems.

Parental Substance Abuse and Addiction

Another form of inter-generational trauma is when a parent has a substance abuse or addiction problem. The children of such parents often grow up in chaotic and unstable environments with little to no emotional support.

The children can later develop traumatic conditions that affect their psychological, emotional, and even physical wellbeing.

The Effects of Intergenerational Trauma

The effects of inter-generational trauma could manifest in different ways. They could impact the individual’s emotional, mental, and physical health, resulting in long-lasting consequences.

Below are some common effects of inter-generational trauma:.

Low Self Esteem and Self-Worth

Children and adults who’ve experienced inter-generational trauma may suffer from low self-esteem and self-worth. This is because of the emotional neglect or abuse they may have experienced in their formative years.

The lack of emotional support from parents or caregivers can lead to individuals with inter-generational trauma believing that they’re not worth anything.

Depression and Anxiety

Inter-generational trauma can also lead to conditions such as depression and anxiety in the affected individuals.

The uncertainty that comes with emotional neglect or abuse, or other forms of abuse, can result in the individual feeling trapped and unable to cope. Depression and anxiety could result from the feeling of helplessness that follows these traumatic experiences.

Addiction

Individuals with inter-generational trauma may also be more susceptible to developing addiction problems.

Addiction can result from using substances such as drugs and alcohol to numb the pain associated with underlying psychological and emotional issues.

Conclusion

Inter-generational trauma is a prevalent occurrence in families. It can impact the health and wellbeing of family members, even those who didn’t experience the traumatic event themselves.

Recognizing the symptoms of inter-generational trauma and seeking professional help from mental health professionals or specialists can help individuals and families overcome the challenges related to inter-generational trauma.