INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES: A REVIEW OF CLINICAL FINDINGS

Abstract

The devastating effects of traumatic experiences on individuals have long been a primary focus of psychology and psychiatry. However, the understanding that the impact of trauma is not limited to the exposed individual but can also be transmitted to subsequent generations through various mechanisms has garnered increasing attention in recent times. This complex process, known as intergenerational trauma transmission, refers to the psychological, behavioral, biological, and sociocultural manifestations in children and grandchildren who were not directly exposed to the traumatic events experienced by their parents or previous generations. This review aims to comprehensively examine the clinical findings related to the intergenerational transmission of traumatic experiences through an extensive literature survey. The nature of trauma, its individual effects, transmission mechanisms (psychosocial, biological, sociocultural), clinical reflections in subsequent generations of different trauma types (genocide, war, domestic violence, refugee experiences, etc.), diagnostic considerations, and therapeutic intervention strategies are discussed. Evidence from the literature indicates that factors such as parenting attitudes, attachment styles, intra-familial communication patterns, epigenetic changes, and collective memory play significant roles in the transmission process. Adopting an intergenerational trauma perspective in clinical practice can contribute to a more profound understanding of the difficulties experienced by individuals and families and the development of more effective intervention methods. In this context, detailed examination of family history in diagnostic assessment processes, consideration of cultural factors, and integration of both individual and family-focused therapeutic approaches are crucial. This review aims to synthesize the existing knowledge in the field, offer potential directions for future research, and provide guidance for clinical applications.