The Roots of Generational Trauma

Trauma is a prevalent suffering that is recognised across the world, leaving an adverse impact on individuals, families and communities. The roots of trauma are diverse and complex stemming from several sources including childhood abuse, domestic violence, natural disasters and historical injustices such as slavery, genocide or war. These experiences, whether singular or cumulative, rupture a person’s sense of safety and security, leaving them emotionally and physically wounded. Moreover, such trauma often remains unrecognised and unaddressed, perpetuating its cycle through generations and silently shaping the narratives of families and communities. This can often branch out into complex trauma. To learn more about complex trauma, click here.

The effects of trauma can extend far beyond the individual, weaving a complex web of pain and dysfunction within families. Trauma can often go unhealed in families for generations, which results in an exacerbation of the cycle of trauma with each new generation. Individuals may unknowingly inherit the emotional burdens of their ancestors, feeling the reverberations of past traumas without fully understanding their origins. As trauma infuses and shapes familial dynamics, patterns of dysfunction and disconnection may become ingrained, impacting how families interact and relate to one another and the outside world. 

Children raised in environments marked by trauma may inherit traits of emotional instability and maladaptive coping mechanisms. Those suffering often turn to drugs, alcohol or compulsion behaviours to numb emotional pain and distress; even if they do not directly recognise or acknowledge the underlying trauma as their own. Many experts within the field of trauma, such as Gabor Maté, Arielle Schwartz and Janina Fisher have encountered clients who felt like they were struggling with symptoms of something that did not belong to them. 

During a recent conference I attended, Resmaa Menakem, an author and director of counselling, a made a comment that encapsulates this well, he said “Trauma in a person can look like personality. Trauma in family can look like family traits. Trauma in people can look like culture over time.” Clearly, the impact of trauma, whether experienced first-hand or indirectly through family or community dynamics, is profound and far-reaching. 

Moreover, the outward appearance of these families to society may be marred by stigma, judgment and misunderstanding, perpetuating the cycle of shame and secrecy surrounding trauma. These struggles may manifest in various ways, from abusive relationships to financial instability to social isolation. The offspring of these families will often “trauma bond” with others from similar abusive or dysfunctional family dynamics, as they feel a sense of comfort despite the abuse they suffer in the relationship. For more information on trauma bonding, read my article about domestic abuse here. 

Trauma, whether experienced directly or indirectly, can have profound effects on an individual's wellbeing, not just psychologically but also biologically. Research in the field of epigenetics, endorsed by Gabor Maté, suggests that traumatic experiences can indeed leave a mark on our DNA. 

Epigenetics explores how external factors, such as stress or trauma, can influence gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. Studies have shown that traumatic experiences can lead to changes in gene expression patterns, affecting how genes are turned on or off. These changes can influence various aspects of health and behaviour, potentially increasing susceptibility to mental health disorders, addiction and other chronic conditions. This is what is known as “inherited trauma”. It’s not a change in the actual DNA structure, but a change in how those genes get expressed, letting the offspring unconsciously know what is and isn’t dangerous. Put very simply it’s a survival mechanism from the trauma the parent suffered, which they have passed on to their child. Bonnie Badenoch takes the point further, she says “the depth at which we take in the preceding generations astonishes me. There is likely an epigenetic component to this as well as transmission through the internalizations that get passed down through the generations. Whole cultures are carried forward that way, so it makes sense that family legacies might be transmitted that way as well.” Understanding the role of epigenetics in the generational passing of trauma highlights the importance of trauma-informed care and interventions aimed at addressing both the psychological and biological impacts of trauma. 

Over time (and generations) the original source of the trauma may be forgotten or erased, but the behaviours will still get passed down from one generation to another, through behaviour and through their very DNA. 

Despite its prevalent nature, healing from trauma is possible. The path to healing begins with awareness and acknowledgment of generational trauma, recognising its profound impact on personal and familial dynamics. Asking questions about familial lineage and any traumatic events or relationships, is a promising start to discovering how this has impacted an individual and family. Pin-pointing family trees and historical events can also help to understand this further. As Mark Wolynn says “by developing a relationship with the painful parts of ourselves—parts we have often inherited from our family—we have an opportunity to shift them. Qualities like cruelty can become the source of our kindness; our judgments can forge the foundation of our compassion.”  

By fostering awareness, empathy, and resilience, individuals and families can begin the journey towards healing and transformation. Seeking support from mental health professionals trained in trauma-informed therapy and cultivating supportive relationships are essential steps in breaking free from the grip of trauma and reclaiming one's sense of empowerment. Gemma B. Benton states “our ancestors knew that healing comes in cycles and circles. One generation carries the pain so that the next can live and heal. One cannot live without the other, each is the other’s hope, meaning & strength.”