Most studies discovered atypically high rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, but some studies found little to no effect. Holocaust survivors and their offspring have been the most widely studied group over the longest period regarding generational trauma. Those who lived through this experience in a concentration camp, in hiding, or as a refugee are considered Holocaust survivors. Some common groups experiencing historical/generational trauma include: Holocaust Survivorsĭuring World War II, members of Nazi Germany and its allies persecuted and attempted to annihilate people of the Jewish faith. Historical trauma is a type of multigenerational trauma impacting a specific racial or ethnic group who experienced traumatic events in the distant past that continue to affect current generations many years later. However, specific cultural groups who have experienced historical trauma may be at a higher risk than others. Department of Veteran Affairs reports that 5% of men and 10% of women will experience PTSD in their lifetime, but 30% of Vietnam Veterans, 10% of Gulf War Veterans, and 15% of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom have already received a PTSD diagnosis.Īnyone can experience generational trauma. When these feelings don’t subside within a few weeks or months, they can manifest into post-traumatic stress syndrome, depression, and anxiety. War veterans who experience combat or other war-related trauma may experience anger and fear. The 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that 2,511,000 people received treatment for illicit drugs and 2,570,000 people received treatment for alcohol in the past year. Drugs are any chemical substances that can change how the mind and body work, including illegal drugs, prescription medications, and over-the-counter medicines. Alcohol and Drug AddictionĪlcohol and drug addiction occur when a person continues to use these substances, even when they cause serious harm to their health or social standing. Family violence may occur between intimate partners, such as spouses, dating couples, or former couples, and non-intimate partners, such as parents/children or siblings. Although physical abuse is the most common form of family violence, it also encompasses emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as threats meant to influence the behavior of another. Family Violenceįamily violence, also called domestic violence, covers a wide range of abusive actions. An estimated 1,750 children didn’t survive their maltreatment. Of the reported cases, 76.1% of children were neglected, 16.5% were physically abused, and 9.4% were sexually abused. Mistreatment among girls was slightly higher than among boys. A few examples of trauma that could be passed on to other generations include: Childhood Abuse or NeglectĪccording to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, about 618,000 children nationally were victims of child abuse and neglect in 2020, the most recent year the Child Maltreatment Report was released. If this trauma deeply disturbs a person, it could be passed down through generations. It’s theorized that generational trauma can also occur in the womb when chemicals produced by the stress felt by the mother impact the fetus’ development.Īny experience that causes serious mental, physical, and/or emotional harm is considered trauma. In a nutshell, epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a person’s DNA created by environmental events, such as severe trauma. The concept that trauma can be inherited is tied to an emerging field of study called epigenetics. According to the American Psychological Association, children of Holocaust survivors are the most widely studied group and where the theory of generational trauma began. Generational trauma, also known as intergenerational trauma or transgenerational trauma, is initially experienced by one person, but the trauma passes from one generation to the next. The good news is that this cycle can be broken through open communication between generations and help from trained professionals. Generational trauma can then become a cycle. Research has shown that these adverse experiences may pass from generation to generation, almost as if it’s genetic. Trauma experienced during childhood or even as an adult can linger and may not end with the individual who experienced the trauma.
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