Generational Trauma: How Family Trauma Impacts Mental Health

If you’ve ever felt significantly affected by someone else’s traumatic experience, then it’s not just a sign that you’re a caring person; it’s also a legitimate, recognized form of trauma itself.

There are different types of trauma. Direct trauma is associated with a negative experience that has happened to the person themself. Secondary trauma can result from witnessing or hearing about someone else’s trauma. Then there’s generational trauma, sometimes called “intergenerational trauma,” which is a form of trauma that is passed down through families.^[1]

If you or someone you love is facing mental health challenges as a result of generational trauma, then a great place to start the process of healing is knowing where it all comes from. Looking back at patterns of behavior in ourselves, our parents, and even our grandparents can provide a lot of insight into the areas where we need to heal.

This page can help you better understand intergenerational trauma and its impacts by exploring:

• What generational trauma is.
• How trauma can get passed down through families.
• Common signs of generational trauma.
• Ways of breaking the cycle of generational trauma.
• Therapy options for trauma.

What Is Generational Trauma?

“Generational trauma” refers to how the effects of trauma can be transmitted from one generation to the next.^[2] The trauma could originate from:

• Cycles of abuse.
• Poverty.
• Neglect.
• Discrimination.
• War.
• Displacement.
• Other highly stressful experiences.

Such traumatic circumstances could send ripple effects into the following generations, as parenting styles, family beliefs, coping strategies, relationship dynamics, and so on can become impacted and passed down.

This is why you’ll sometimes hear the generational trauma called “inherited trauma.” It’s the same principle. The trauma is not necessarily passed down genetically (although it can shape our genes); instead, we can absorb the traits developed by generations past in trying times.^[3]

The effects of generational trauma are backed by research.^[4] For instance, if our great-grandparents experienced hardship, then this can influence how well we communicate, regulate our emotions, function in relationships, and more. In fact, these cycles can affect families for decades.^[5][4]

But how exactly does trauma get passed down?

How Trauma Gets Passed Through Families

How trauma can pass from one person to another is an interesting phenomenon. If someone goes through a life-altering event, it’s natural that their behavior may have changed to adapt. Not only that, but difficult experiences can shape:

• Their beliefs.
• Their worldview.
• Their coping mechanisms.
• How they treat others.

And this is how family trauma patterns can start.

For example, a person who grew up in an area with a high crime rate might have developed certain protective traits, such as being:

• Emotionally withdrawn.
• Highly reactive.
• Prone to anxiety.

In other words, they formed specific survival instincts. This same person might carry these traits with them into areas of life where there are no longer any present threats – such as into parenting. As a result, they might act withdrawn, reactive, or anxious around their children, modeling these behaviors to them.^[6]

In this way, generational trauma is primarily passed down through family relationships, such as through parenting styles and learned behaviors. Simply put, if you grow up in a household that’s emotionally withdrawn, unpredictable, or even abusive, it’s likely going to impact your belief system and how you relate to others as an adult.^[6]

Interestingly, some studies have identified changes in stress-related genes in people who have parents who experienced severe trauma.^[4] However, these findings are fairly new. Experts still look at the environment, relationships, and life experiences as the key factors in influencing an individual’s mental health.^[7]

Some trauma behaviors that can be passed down generationally through relations can include:^[1]

• Emotional Suppression or Avoidance: Being less likely to be emotionally vulnerable and open, they may avoid direct discussions about feelings.
• Difficulty Trusting Others: Traumatic experiences can change a person’s view of society and others, impacting their ability to place trust in someone else.
• Fear-Based Parenting: In other words, raising a child to be risk-averse, which can contribute to anxiety in adulthood.
• Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms: Turning to substances like alcohol or activities like gambling, for example, as a means of distraction from deep-rooted trauma.
• Chronic family conflict: Being an emotionally “closed-off” parent may lead to a lack of emotional support when it comes to parenting a child. As a result, misunderstandings and unshared feelings can cause frequent arguments.

Common Signs of Generational Trauma

Trauma, including generational trauma, can appear in different ways from person to person. If you, or someone you care about, is facing mental health issues and believes the root cause could be “inherited,” then it may be worth considering some of the common signs of generational trauma.

These include:

Childhood Trauma Effects on Mental Health

Studies have shown that childhood is the key timeframe in which generational trauma develops. For example, if someone grows up in a country that’s been through war, then there could be a direct impact on:^[12]

• Emotional development.
• Coping skills.
• How well they function in relationships.

And, without intervention, this impact can be carried throughout their lives.^[12]

Further, if the effect of trauma isn’t resolved, the beliefs and behaviors it leads to can be passed down generationally, continuing the cycle. The effects of such trauma, both directly and indirectly, can take the form of:^[13]

• Insecure attachment styles.
• Depression.
• Anxiety disorders.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Difficulties with emotional regulation.
• Chronic stress-related health conditions.
• Relationship difficulties.

It’s worth noting that if you or a loved one has experienced childhood trauma, it doesn’t mean they’re destined for future mental health problems. Many can heal and recover with the right support and resources.^[14]

Examples of Generational Trauma

Every family is unique, and generational trauma can influence households in different ways. However, there are some common patterns that can emerge from specific types of trauma and that can affect families in the long term.

Examples of trauma that can impact generations include:

• Abuse and neglect: Families affected by abuse may find it hard to trust others, feel emotionally safe, and communicate healthily.^[15]
• Domestic violence: Exposure to domestic violence can affect how children understand relationships, conflict resolution, and personal safety. This could impact future relationships and parenting approaches.^[16]
• Substance misuse: Alcohol or drug misuse within a household can be distressing for a child and can make the family environment feel unstable. This could lead to future challenges with similar coping mechanisms or relationship difficulties.^[17][18]
• Poverty and chronic stress: Living with ongoing financial hardship can spill into many other areas of life. For example, healthcare affordability, quality of life, and so on. Therefore, growing up in such an environment can impact emotional well-being and family relationships, and this effect can ripple across generations.^[19]
• Community, historical, and cultural trauma: Some communities have collectively experienced trauma as a result of war, displacement, discrimination, and so on. Understandably, this could significantly impact parents and their children. Moreover, research shows that the psychological effects of these experiences may continue to influence future generations.^[18]

While investigating the root cause of trauma is important, it’s also good to remember that recovery is possible. Generational trauma doesn’t mean you’re doomed to repeat the cycle over and over again. So you might be wondering, How do I break the cycle? Let’s take a look.

Breaking Generational Trauma

One of the first steps in breaking the cycle of generational trauma is to understand our patterns, where they come from, and that they don’t serve a healthy purpose. This can be an uncomfortable process, as we may want to think positively about those near and dear to us. However, few people go through life without experiencing some form of hardship that shapes them – and this applies to families too.

Some behaviors or coping mechanisms born out of trauma might feel “normal” to someone who’s grown up around them. But becoming aware of unhelpful patterns is the first step to trauma healing and meaningful change.^[20]

Here are some key steps that help promote change when it comes to generational trauma:

Develop Self-Awareness

This can mean taking a closer look at what triggers emotional responses, what unhelpful coping mechanisms you may have developed, or patterns in relationship challenges. For instance, if you have an insecure attachment style, you could learn more about where this came from and how it manifests in your attitudes towards yourself and others.

Reflective practices, such as journaling, often help us develop self-awareness as they help us look at:^[21]

• What happened.
• Why it happened.
• What we would like to change for the future.

Challenge Unhealthy Beliefs

As mentioned previously, traumatic experiences can negatively impact how we view others in general. For instance, they might lead to holding unhelpful or unrealistic beliefs about how the world works and how others will treat us within it. Actively challenging these beliefs can help create healthier ways of thinking and relating to others.^[22]

Try to identify a specific belief, such as Others can’t be trusted, and pinpoint evidence to the contrary, like when someone has proven themselves trustworthy in the past.

Establish Healthy Boundaries

This step can be particularly beneficial for those raised in unstable households, as there may be deep-rooted fears of rejection or abandonment. It can help to identify personal boundaries by connecting them to your values and needs and explicitly and respectfully enforcing them around others.

For example, you could set boundaries around what causes you discomfort and what lines not to cross, as this can provide the necessary personal space for healing and for healthier relationships.^[23]

Build Supportive Relationships

Sometimes, trauma can lead to social withdrawal and isolation. But it’s important not to let these coping mechanisms discourage you from having trusted friends, partners, and family (when appropriate). Moreover, support groups and mental health professionals, like therapists, can provide emotional support and help reinforce healthier patterns.^[24]

Seek Professional Help

Developing self-awareness, boundaries, healthy beliefs, and relationships can be difficult to accomplish alone when there’s generational trauma present. This form of trauma can make life feel like you’re playing a game whose rules you’ve never been explained. However, many people find that professional support accelerates healing by providing tools, guidance, and a safe environment to process difficult experiences.^[25]

How Trauma Therapy Can Help

Starting trauma therapy might feel intimidating, especially for someone who might not be the most emotionally open or trusting due to negative experiences in the past.

It might help to know that therapy isn’t about blame or judging family members for their faults. It’s all about understanding how past experiences may be influencing current thoughts and behaviors – and how to move past these.

Here are some evidence-based approaches that may be helpful:

Get Help Breaking the Trauma Cycle With Mission Connection

Whether you’ve directly gone through a traumatic experience or feel the ripples from past generations, be assured that recovery is possible. Mission Connection is here to help. Our experienced team knows that recovery from trauma doesn’t just happen overnight. It often requires compassionate, long-term mental health support.

Our team of licensed mental health professionals goes beyond traditional treatment and provides life-changing care. We offer several options for effective outpatient treatment, including in-person programs at our locations in California, Virginia, and Washington, virtual telehealth, and a hybrid program that combines in-person and virtual care.

We create a personalized, structured care plan for every patient that consists of evidence-based therapies (CBT, EMDR, and trauma-informed approaches) and medication management when appropriate.

Mission Connection is Joint Commission-accredited. We also accept most major insurance providers, so that your recovery is not hindered due to financial issues.

If you’re ready to start healing, reach out to us online or call us at 866-833-1822. Our compassionate team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide guidance with no obligation.