What Is Intergenerational Trauma?
Intergenerational trauma occurs when emotional wounds and survival patterns are passed from one generation to the next. Many immigrant families carry trauma related to migration, poverty, discrimination, war, or cultural displacement.
Children may grow up with:
- High achievement pressure
- Emotional suppression
- Fear-based parenting styles
- Role reversal or parentification
These patterns often originate from survival strategies developed by earlier generations.
How Trauma Gets Passed Down
Research suggests trauma is transmitted through:
- Attachment patterns
- Family narratives
- Cultural silence around pain
- Stress physiology and nervous system modeling
How EMDR Helps Break Generational Cycles
EMDR helps clients:
- Reprocess early relational trauma
- Challenge inherited negative beliefs
- Reduce emotional reactivity
- Develop healthier parenting and relationship patterns
"When one family member heals, generational patterns can begin to shift."
Clinical Considerations
- Map family history during Phase 1
- Target cultural shame or guilt beliefs
- Include attachment-focused resourcing
- Explore immigration narratives
References
- Yehuda et al. (2016). Intergenerational trauma research
- Shapiro (2018). EMDR Therapy
- van der Kolk (2014). Trauma and body memory research