Intergenerational trauma is a concept developed to help explain years of generational challenges within families. It is the transmission (or sending it down to younger generations) of the oppressive or traumatic effects of a historical event.

A growing body of research suggests that trauma (like childhood abuse, family violence, or food insecurity, among many other things) can be passed from one generation to the next.

Here’s how: Trauma can leave a chemical mark on a person’s genes, which can then be passed down to future generations. This mark doesn’t cause a genetic mutation, but it does alter the mechanism by which the gene is expressed. This alteration is not genetic, but epigenetic.

https://www.psycom.net/trauma/epigenetics-trauma

Genetics are passed down. Trauma is passed through the genes as well

Research conducted by Dr. Joan Kaufman, Director of the Child And Adolescent Research and Education (C.A.R.E) program, and colleagues found that “early life stress caused epigenetic changes that lowered the trigger required for a stress response.” 

Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I share some powerful practices to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma.