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Can Trauma Be Inherited? The Science of Generational Mental Health
How the scars of the past shape future generations
Trauma is often thought of as an individual experience — something that happens to a person and affects their mental and emotional well-being. However, growing scientific research suggests that trauma is not just personal; it can be passed down through generations, altering the mental health of children and grandchildren in profound ways.
From Holocaust survivors’ descendants to children of war refugees, studies have shown that the psychological wounds of one generation can leave lasting imprints on the next. This concept, known as intergenerational or transgenerational trauma, sheds light on how unresolved pain, fear, and stress can ripple through families, shaping the mental health of those who were never directly exposed to the original trauma.
The Science Behind Generational Trauma
The idea that trauma can be inherited isn’t just a psychological theory; it’s backed by neuroscience and epigenetics — the study of how behaviors and environments can cause changes that affect the way genes work.
Researchers have found that extreme stress and trauma can alter gene expression, affecting how the body and brain react to stress…
