Complex Intergenerational Trauma

“It is estimated that there are three times the number of First Nations children in foster care today than there were at the height of the residential schools” (Blackstock, 2011, p.2). Indigenous children today are mainly overrepresented in the case of neglect which is driven by poverty, homelessness, and substance abuse; often due to unaddressed trauma. When dealing with the Indigenous population this relates to the intergenerational trauma caused by colonialism. Although there is more awareness in BC around the negative impacts of colonialism there still lacks a solution for the CFCSA to provide adequate services to Indigenous children that would address the overrepresentation.

Trauma is perceived as a physical or psychological threat or assault to a person’s physical integrity, sense of self, safety and/or survival or to the physical safety of a significant other; family member, friend, partner. (Kilpatrick, Saunders, and Smith, 2003). An adolescent may experience trauma from a variety of experiences, including but not limited to: abuse (sexual, physical, and/or emotional); neglect; abandonment; bullying; exposure to domestic violence and/ or community violence; natural disasters; medical procedures; loss/grief due to a death of a family member(s); surgery; accidents or serious illness; and war (Kilpatrick, Saunders, and Smith, 2003).

Trauma is an individual’s visceral reaction to a horrible event, events such as early childhood traumas, accidents, sexual abuse, or community violence (apa.org, 2016). An individual may react with shock and denial in the aftermath. As time continues some reactions may comprise of mood swings, intrusive memories, difficulties maintaining relationships and can manifest into physical symptoms to include headache or upset stomach. There are individuals who experience difficulties functioning in their daily lives; these observable responses are a normal response to the trauma (apa.org, 2016).

Sixty percent of adults report experiencing abuse or other difficult family circumstances during childhood. (Mental Health Connection, N.D.). This shocking statistic exemplifies the high prevalence of childhood trauma. Furthermore, twenty-six percent of children in the United States will witness or experience a traumatic event before the age of four. (Mental Health Connection, N.D.) Trauma is an extremely common and complex phenomenon. But what is trauma? According to Merriam Webster, trauma is defined as, “a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury.” (Merriam Webster, 2017). Dr. Lenore C. Terr from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of America further describes trauma as unique to each individual. It can be caused by a series of events or one severe incident. Unfortunately, childhood trauma is usually experienced repeatedly. For example, many children endure sexual abuse, bullying, and severe family problems over and over again. Children may experience a variety of traumas that have lasting consequences on their mental health. Those who experience childhood trauma are more likely to develop psychological disorders. This occurs because their brains lack neuroplasticity, which inhibits their ability to adapt to various stressful circumstances.

Intergenerational trauma, or historical trauma, is “the cumulative psychological damage that specific groups of people suffer throughout multiple generations” (Hanser & Gomila, 2015). African Americans, as well as Native Americans, are one of the groups said to suffer from the most historical trauma in the United States, most of it stemming from centuries of slavery and subjugation. This paper seeks to show how slavery has continued to affect black people in the United States, starting with slavery and ending with the present. This paper will look at issues that seem to plague the black community in particular, including higher rates of both incarceration and poverty, as well as continued stereotypical and racial profiling, in an attempt

“American Psychiatric Association defines trauma as an event that represents a threat to life or personal integrity. Trauma can also be experienced when children are faced with a caregiver who acts erratically, emotional and /or physical neglect, and exploitation” (Maltby, L., & Hall, T. 2012. p. 304). Trauma comes in many different forms including: war, rape, kidnapping, abuse, sudden injury, and

The impact that trauma has on relationships are demonstrated by all children who have been affected by trauma and continues through their life cycle. While with therapy and support these children and young adults can have positive outcomes, most children who have been affected by trauma go on to have relationship issues with many types of relationships in their life (Doyle, 2012). The main presenting impact for this child or young adults is the lack of trust. Trust is an emotion that needs to be part of any healthy relationship. As those who have had trauma in their life their trust of other with reason is not always present. Children find it hard to receive and give love out and this can affect all times of relationships, with friends, and intimate parents and caregivers. They become untrusting and are not sure what is expected of them in return. One of

The most damaging form of trauma is interpersonal trauma which is far more likely than other traumas, such as car accidents, to give rise to posttraumatic symptoms (Van der Kolk, 1989). Maybe the worst form of interpersonal trauma is that inflicted by a child’s carers. When a carer turns abuser, then the world feels unsafe and unpredictable. Serious abuse often leads to fear, helplessness, shame… (Music 206)

trauma (CPTSD), as defined by Herman (1992, 1997) and Courtois (2008), with its emphasis on

The pervasiveness of these correlations is high and suggesting childhood trauma could play a major role in the psychological health of a person later in adulthood, and there have many studies which have been conducted that could support these theories.

Healing Behavioral and Biological Effects of Trauma Shenea O. Overstreet Silberman School of Social Work Part two of The Body Keeps the Score by Van der Kolk (2014), attempts to explain the effects of trauma on the physical brain, cognitive functioning, and bodily functions. Chapter four illustrates beautifully with diagrams, pictures, and anecdotal examples, how different areas of the brain are affected by traumatic experiences. Chapter five explores the physical signs of trauma in the body; it illustrates the mind in constant survival mode. Lastly, chapter six discusses the feelings of numbness and shame trauma survivors may have.

A therapist will observe a family’s interaction with one another, any sign of triangles or triangulation, and exploration of nuclear family and intergenerational connections (Gerhart, 2014). During systemic assessment, therapists will focus on individual and familial strengths and making sure that all members of the family recognize and reflect those strengths within themselves and one another. Genograms are use to help translate issues that could be passed through dynamics in familial relations not just in the present, but multigenerational as well. A therapist can adapt a genogram to have as much or as little information needed to benefit their client. This information will usually include, birth and death dates, any type of illness—mental, physical, marriage, divorce and patterns of interaction within family members (hostile, close, emotional cutoff, abuse, fused). Lastly, when a therapist complies the essential components of the case conceptualization they will discuss their ideas with their client to see if they approve with the proposed ideas or opposes. This component is called client perspective—it allows the therapist to verify information they have about their client and see if new meanings about the information come

The authors aim to identify the mental and physical risks in late adult life that has been negatively influenced by childhood trauma. There are two purposes of this literature review. Results can help develop support or intervention strategies that foster resilience throughout the life course by investigating the correlation childhood trauma has on older adults’ well being (Maschi et. al., 2013, p. 62). Another purpose is to address the gap in literature that examines the influence traumatic events has on later life health.

There are many types of trauma that can effect an adolescent and without the proper treatment of the traumatic event the adolescent can have difficulty adapting and developing into adulthood. Kathleen J. Moroz, of the Vermont Agency of Human Services, defines trauma as a physical or psychological threat or assault to a child’s physical integrity, sense of self, safety of survival or to the physical safety of another person significant to the child. She goes on to list the types of trauma a child may be exposed to. Abuse of every kind, domestic violence, natural disasters, abandonment, serious illness or an accident are just a few traumatic events that can effect the development of a child. (2) When these events occur as an acute event

Results were taken from 328 multigenerational families across seven waves between 1985-2004.Participants were selected from the US Longitudinal Study of Generations (374 grandparents and 356 adult grandchildren). The mean age of grandparents was 78 compared to grandchildren’s average age of 32. Affinity, contact, functional exchange, familism and grandparent health were measured at each wave to determine levels of solidarity (amount of unity or agreement between two individuals). All independent variables were measured using self-administered scales. For example, affinity was measured using a six item scale in response to statements (1 not at all and 6 extremely well). The Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977) was used to measure depressive