Generational trauma is the transference of traumatic experiences or stressors from one generation to the next. It occurs when a group collectively experiences a horrific event, such as abuse, discrimination, natural disasters, racism, and oppression. The psychological and physiological effects of trauma experienced by people can affect subsequent generations in that group. The primary modes of transmission are the cultural transmission of trauma-related beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes, and the biological transmission of trauma-related changes in the nervous system.

Generational trauma is a collective experience that affects groups of people because of their cultural identity, such as ethnicity, nationality, or religious identity. It is not usually applied to single families or individual parent-child dyads, but both direct survivors of the collective trauma and members of subsequent generations may develop complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

The symptoms of generational trauma can manifest in multiple ways, including anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and difficulty trusting others. It can make a person feel very hopeless about the future and cause them to experience feelings of anxiety and depression. Generational trauma can impact groups of people, families, and individuals.

Breaking the cycle of generational trauma is complex, but it is possible. Effective ways to break the cycle include seeking therapy, practicing self-care, building a support system, and learning about the history of the trauma.