By Robert M. Gordon, Psy.D., Felicia B. Connor, Psy.D., ABPP-RP, & Elizabeth L. Malkin, Psy.D., MSCP
Trauma creates overwhelming feelings of vulnerability and helplessness that cannot be cognitively processed into a meaningful and integrated narrative (Horowitz, 1982; Bromberg, 1998). Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of traumatic experiences and their psychological and biological impact across generations (Franco, 2023).
Atlas (2022) describes how unresolved family traumas are unconsciously passed down as emotional inheritance, leaving traces in the form of fragmented self-states, unexplained physical symptoms, and family secrets. Even unspoken traumas can manifest as phantoms that are felt but not seen. Harris (2006) emphasized that these transmissions stem from losses that were never fully mourned, extending beyond lost loved ones to include shattered dreams, dignity, and sense of safety (Buechler, 2019; McWilliams, 2021).
Epigenetic research reveals that biological changes in parents with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are transmitted to their children. These biological markers—altered cortisol levels, receptor site modification, and myelination—affect gene expression in the next generation. Yehuda and Lehrner (2018) identified epigenetic modifications in NR3C1, a gene regulating glucocorticoid receptor function, which is linked to heightened stress reactivity and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation in children of trauma survivors. These changes contribute to lower cortisol levels and increased glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity, leaving individuals more vulnerable to stress-related disorders such as complex PTSD and anxiety (Franco, 2023). This underscores the role of epigenetics in the intergenerational transmission of trauma, shaping biological responses to stress across generations.
Clients often enter therapy with an unconscious wish to repair and heal the original family traumas and emotional wounds. By gradually mourning and letting go of the unrealistic fantasy of repairing past events beyond their control, clients can connect with their own vulnerability and existential fears, creating space for intergenerational sources of hope and resilience. As Atlas (2022) notes, “As the narrative of the past takes shape, a ghost can turn into an ancestor; to have a story one can tell rather than relive it again and again.”
Intergenerational Transmission of Resilience
Resilience refers to the ability to adapt and thrive when faced with adversity. It is best described as an outcome—rather than a fixed trait—resulting from the interaction of biological, environmental, and personality factors (Bonanno, 2021). Southwick et al. (2023) identified 10 interrelated components of resilience: maintaining a realistic level of optimism, facing fears, having a moral compass, spirituality, social support, role models, physical well-being, curiosity, cognitive and emotional flexibility, and developing meaning and purpose in life.
However, resilience research often neglects systemic and structural factors such as racism, discrimination, economic barriers, and healthcare disparities (Infurna et al., 2024). A focus on the intergenerational transmission of resilience requires balancing individual personality traits with collective and cultural sources of resilience, which include stories of survival, courage, and faith in the face of overwhelming challenge and loss (Ortega-Williams et al., 2024).
Cultural Considerations
Individuals from collectivistic cultures may not subscribe to Western, individualistic views of resilience. Individuals from other cultures may view trauma, tragedy, and suffering as an inevitable part of life, rather than an event or experience to be overcome (Lee et al., 2024). For example, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism encourage harmonious acceptance and “being” rather than taking active control of one’s life in response to adversity. In other cultures, resilience is considered a shared experience (Xie & Wong, 2021).
Every culture around the globe has a unique approach to healing from intergenerational trauma. For example, many Nigerians rely on their faith, incorporating prayer and scripture into evidence-based interventions (Hervey, 2023). In rural Uganda, theater groups reenact trauma scenarios and resolutions to process these experiences. Ethiopia, known as the birthplace of coffee, features the richly symbolic Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a complex tradition that goes beyond mere coffee drinking to share stories of resilience and wisdom to create a safe space for healing and meaningful connections (Bacha et al., 2019).
For those in the African Diaspora—the global communities descended from Africa, cognitive-behavior therapy and other Western therapies are melded with herbal remedies to enhance healing (Monteiro & Wall, 2011). By reconnecting with and embracing African cultural practices, values, and rituals that emphasize peace, respect, and love, families can strengthen their bonds and redefine themselves beyond trauma.
Tips for Therapeutic Interventions
- Maintain a balance between focusing on individual and collective sources of intergenerational trauma and resilience (i.e., coping strengths across multiple generations; Salberg & Grand, 2024).
- Consider “What are the traditions, values, stories of overcoming adversity, songs, and prayers that have been passed down from previous generations? How do they impact your client’s core values and worldview, and what do they feel most passionate about in their lives?”
- Encourage your client to reflect and question the values they hold deeply and ask themself, “Where did these values come from? Are these values propelling me forward in life or are they a barrier to growth?”
- Ask the client to consider their lives as a storybook with a legacy given to them (past), a story that they are currently living and creating (present), and a story that will be passed on to future generations (Breitbart, 2016).
- Reflect on adversities that the client has previously endured, overcome, and learned from in their lives and what attitudes, values, and coping strategies they utilized.
- Encourage clients to “remember” their ancestors and loved ones from the past by living out their values and the causes they believed in (Kessler, 2019).
Concluding Thoughts—Weaving a New Tapestry
By holding space for both intergenerational sources of trauma and resilience, an individual can weave previously silent untold stories of loss with perseverance, hope, peace, courage, love, and survival. This sense of containment and safety facilitates an opportunity to create a more complex, rich, and textured tapestry connecting the past, present, and future. The newly created pattern can provide an anchor and moral compass when processing trauma, uncertainty, and loss and a deeper understanding of how choices in life fit together (Buechler, 2019). By blending cultural and modern traditions, communities can develop effective strategies for healing intergenerational trauma and fostering resilience for future generations.
Robert M. Gordon, Psy.D. is a clinical associate professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and former director of intern training at NYU Langone Health–Rusk Rehabilitation. He is a member of the Medicine & Addictions workgroup (established. by 14 divisions of the American Psychological Association) that sponsors this blog).
Felicia B. Connor, Psy.D. (ABPP-RP) is the director of intern training at NYU Langone Health–Rusk Rehabilitation. Connor is a graduate of the American Psychological Association’s Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology Signature Program and a member of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.
Elizabeth L. Malkin, Psy.D., MSCP, is a pediatric neuropsychology fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She completed her adult neuropsychology predoctoral internship at NYU Langone Health–Rusk Rehabilitation.