Generational trauma

The transmission of trauma from one generation to the next, often referred to as intergenerational trauma, involves the passing down of traumatic experiences through genetic, behavioral, and environmental mechanisms. This concept suggests that the effects of trauma experienced by one generation can influence the health, behavior, and well-being of subsequent generations, potentially leading to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Generational trauma is particularly relevant to communities and families affected by large-scale historical events such as slavery, the Holocaust, colonization, and war.