What if I told you that the traumas your ancestors faced are not entirely left with them in the past? That their experiences, especially traumatic ones, can influence you, decades later? This intriguing and controversial concept is known as Transgenerational Trauma. Developed by psychoanalyst Vamik Volkan, it argues that the traumas of our forefathers can echo down generations and subtly shape our behaviors, thoughts, and perceptions.
To understand this concept better, we must first understand what is trauma. Trauma isn’t just a terrible event or an unpleasant memory. Instead, trauma is an emotional response to a horrific event, often accompanied by symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety. When an individual is unable to process or heal from this trauma, it might persist and, as Volkan posits, be unconsciously transmitted to subsequent generations.
The transmission of trauma can take different forms. It can occur through the overt narration of past atrocities to younger generations, causing secondary traumatization. It can also happen through unconscious channels – unspoken and subtle, such as emotional reactions, parenting practices, or family dynamics. We, as humans, are products of both our genetic composition and our social and emotional environment. Thus, the unhealed traumas of our ancestors can ripple into the present, influencing our psyche.
Critics may argue that empirical evidence supporting transgenerational trauma is sparse, and they wouldn’t be entirely wrong. Yet, it’s important to remember that psychological theories often defy clear-cut empirical support due to their subjective and qualitative nature. Furthermore, an increasing body of evidence suggests that the theory does hold water.
In many societies, it’s common to observe patterns of trauma among the descendants of communities that have faced extreme adversities. The African American/Caribbean communities offer a potent illustration of transgenerational trauma. The brutalities of the Atlantic slave trade and centuries of systematic racial oppression have indelibly marked the psychological fabric of descendants of enslaved people. Today, research has established a link between the historical trauma of slavery and the disproportionate levels of stress-related health conditions, including hypertension and diabetes, among African Americans/Caribbean.
Moreover, research suggests the pervasive effects of this inherited trauma extend beyond physical health to emotional well-being. Descendants of slaves often carry an unconscious fear and emotional burden, passed down from their ancestors who lived in constant terror. This manifests in a multitude of ways, including heightened vigilance and preparation for bias, which can lead to increased anxiety and chronic stress.
Another study examined the descendants of survivors of the Armenian genocide and found increased instances of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to other populations. This observation is in line with Volkan’s belief that the psychological response to a shared trauma can become a large-group identity, eventually inherited by subsequent generations.
This phenomenon can also be witnessed in holocaust survivors, who have been found to inadvertently pass on their trauma to their children, leading to heightened anxiety and stress disorders.
Additionally, emerging research in epigenetics – the study of how behaviors and environment can cause changes in gene expression – supports the idea of trauma’s impact across generations. Although epigenetic changes aren’t directly related to transgenerational trauma, they lend credibility to the concept that experiences can alter our biology in ways that can be passed down.
Transgenerational trauma isn’t an individual burden but a shared, collective one. It’s a societal phenomenon that demands collective healing. To mitigate its effects, we need awareness and understanding, followed by acknowledgment, dialogue, and reconciliation. Only then can we break this cycle of trauma, allowing for healing and growth.
Psychotherapy, especially family-focused therapy, can play a crucial role in addressing and healing transgenerational trauma. By exploring family history and patterns, individuals can uncover inherited trauma, understand its effects, and learn to cope with them effectively.
Moreover, education about this trauma in schools and communities can raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with it. Finally, social and political efforts aimed at reconciliation and justice for the original trauma can also play a vital role in healing.
Transgenerational trauma is an important lens to understand how our past continues to shape our present. Although controversial and difficult to empirically substantiate, the theory sheds light on the persistent struggles faced by descendants of trauma survivors.
As a society, we must strive to develop an awareness of the profound effects of transgenerational trauma. In doing so, we can foster a more compassionate and understanding environment for those wrestling with the invisible burden of their ancestors’ past. This conscious act of empathy not only initiates individual healing but also cultivates societal growth and resilience. By recognizing the echoes of our forefathers’ experiences in our lives today, we can better understand ourselves, our behaviors, and our emotions. Ultimately, in the face of this daunting inheritance, our understanding and action can be the key to turning trauma into strength, fear into courage, and the past into a beacon for a better future.
Happy Father’s Day!
About the Author:
Behavioural Scientist with 15+ years of
experience in Social Development.
Worked with global development and public health agencies including
PAHO, USAID, FHI360, and UWI.
