Intergenerational trauma, also known as generational trauma, transgenerational trauma, or multigenerational trauma, refers to the psychological and physiological effects that trauma experienced by people has on subsequent generations in that group. It occurs when the effects of trauma are passed down between generations, and it can stem from personal trauma, such as child or domestic abuse, or from trauma that a specific cultural, racial, or ethnic group endured. Intergenerational trauma can sometimes go unrecognized by the spouse/partner suffering from the transmission of trauma.

Symptoms of intergenerational trauma always begin with the survivor of a trauma, which tend to manifest as symptoms of PTSD. Oftentimes trauma in the second generation is deemed as a traumatic response to parental trauma. Transmission between the parent and child can be broken down into 5 measures: communication, conflict, family cohesion, parental warmth, and parental involvement. Symptoms also differ based on ethnicity and type of original trauma. Enslavement, genocide, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and extreme poverty are all common sources of trauma that lead to intergenerational trauma. A lack of therapy also worsens symptoms and can lead to transmission. For instance, survivors of child sexual abuse may negatively influence future generations due to their past unresolved trauma. This can lead to increased feelings of mistrust, isolation, and loneliness.

Researchers are also looking into the possible role of “epigenetic changes.” The idea is that the environment could cause changes that affect the way genes work, and these changes could be passed on to younger generations. Epigenetic changes can affect how the body reads a DNA sequence. But they’re reversible and don’t change DNA sequences like gene mutations do.

Intergenerational trauma can stem from biology, learned behaviors, and even the collective experiences of a group. Some research suggests that trauma can affect a person’s DNA and potentially influence the health of future generations far removed from the traumatic event. It’s also thought that intergenerational trauma can affect family members of people who’ve endured traumas such as murder or rape, natural disasters, and more.