Intergenerational Trauma: Conceptual Frameworks, Mechanisms of Transmission, Impacts, and Intervention Approaches
Intergenerational Trauma: Conceptual Frameworks, Mechanisms of Transmission, Impacts, and Intervention Approaches

Summary/Abstract: Intergenerational trauma is defined as the process of transferring traumatic experiences across generations through various mechanisms; it is considered as a multi-layered transfer process that operates at social, cultural and biological levels. The visible and latent effects of macro and micro traumatic experiences such as genocides, wars, forced migration and domestic violence on subsequent generations are supported by a wide literature. The different theoretical models and explanatory frameworks developed by researchers provide an important basis for understanding the multi dimensional structure of intergenerational trauma. These models and frameworks help us understand how intergenerational trauma operates at psychological, sociocultural and biological levels. Based on the studies in the literature, this study reviewed the scope of intergenerational trauma, transmission paths, psychological consequences and intervention approaches, and aimed to eliminate the lack of a holistic framework in the Turkish literature. In this context, it has been demonstrated that intergenerational trauma is not limited to individual psychological effects; it also produces multifaceted results at social, cultural and biological levels. In addition, it has been emphasized that traumatic transmission does not only lead to fragility and psychopathology, but also that resilience can be transmitted across generations thanks to protective factors such as appropriate social support, functional family dynamics and cultural belonging.

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