second-generation trauma

Second-generation trauma refers to the indirect transmission of traumatic effects from one generation to the next. This can occur when individuals who experience severe trauma, such as war, genocide, or abuse, unconsciously pass on its emotional, behavioral, and psychological impacts through their interactions, parenting, and cultural memory. As a result, their children and grandchildren may develop issues like anxiety, depression, or mistrust, even if they didn't directly experience the original trauma. This process highlights how trauma can influence families and communities across generations, shaping their collective wellbeing across time.