Understanding Transgenerational Trauma (Part I)
Several things get passed down through families, such as heirlooms, traditions, behaviors, genetic illnesses, and physical traits. In some cases, trauma can also be inherited.
Transgenerational Trauma (also known as intergenerational trauma or historical trauma) is still a moderately new field of study, meaning researchers still have a lot to discover about its impact and how it presents in those who suffer from it.
While research on transgenerational trauma continues to develop, researchers like Dr. Joy DeGruy, a clinical psychologist, have paved the way for the crucial conversations about the socialization of trauma in Black families. Dr. DeGruy developed a theory from 12 years of research, known as Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS).
PTSS is a condition that exists due to centuries of slavery, institutionalized racism, and oppression that have resulted in multigenerational adaptive behavior, some of which are positive and others that are harmful and destructive.
Manifestation of Transgenerational Trauma
Researchers, scientist and clinicians have become more aware that the effects of trauma suffered by one generation is passed onto future generations in the following areas.
Genetics
Some evidence shows that trauma can alter a person’s genetic makeup. Black Americans are particularly vulnerable here. Being systematically exploited, enduring repeated and continual abuse, racism, and poverty are traumatic enough to cause genetic changes from birth throughout adulthood. Epigenetics is an area of study that defines these particular areas of change in more depth and detail. In this case, the genetic variations are passed down between generations and predispose the future generation to be susceptible to subsequent traumas and stressors.
Behavior
Trauma can also be passed down through behavior. For example, a child of someone who has PTSD can learn and internalize specific ways of thinking from their parents. In addition to the potential genetic changes inherited from traumatized ancestors, many deal with psychological and social sources of trauma passed down from one generation to the next.
Despite the evidence and numerous studies of race-based traumatic stress, it’s still not recognized as a qualifying diagnosis within the psychiatric world. The experiences of Black people produce a particular type of race-based traumatic stress that has the signs of PTSD, such as hyper-vigilance, hyper-arousal, intrusive thoughts, and sleep disturbances along with many more symptomatic responses.
Researchers now know intergenerational trauma can also mask itself through:
- Learned beliefs (lack of trust in others, fearfulness, etc.)
- Self-destructive behaviors
- Patterns that become engrained
This kind of wiring impacts personalities, relationships, parenting, communication, and views of the world.
The Path To Healing
For healing to begin, we must recognize how heavily American slavery and systemic racism have created many layers of trauma. As science uncovers more and more about how trauma negatively changes DNA, we also discover therapeutic interventions for healing, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Exposure Therapy, and the Intergenerational Trauma Treatment Model (ITTM). Though therapeutic interventions for healing is important we must tackle systemic systems that are primary contributors to oppression and discriminatory behavior. Moving forward in a healthy and intentional way for families is essential to stop the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
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