The Transgenerational effects of the Rwandan genocide study demonstrated an additional level of evidence beyond overall PTSD severity.

Evidence from academic literature also revealed similar effects have been reported in multiple cultures, societies and collective traumatic exposures. These studies are not the only findings that showcase the validity of intergenerational effects of trauma. The loss of culture, values, and way of life and the impact this has on the community and society at large.1,3 Animal studies designed to fill in gaps in understanding for how epigenetic transmission occurs still don’t explain gaps in understanding of the human mechanisms that result in epigenetic transmission. Although researchers can make connections between genetic markers and how they translate to physical or social expression, it remains a mystery how these biological and genetic changes can be caused by trauma. As a relatively new field of research, epigenetic studies of intergenerational trauma faces criticism for its validity. The transgenerational effects from these studies have shown to be not only psychological, but familial, social, cultural, neurobiological and possibly even genetic.

Researchers later linked this epigenetic signature to differences in health later in life, including higher-than-average body mass.įindings from the Dutch Hunger Winter case led to the funding of research for other cases of potential intergenerational trauma such as the descendants of the Holocaust, Khmer Rouge killings in Cambodia, Rwandan genocide, displacement of American Indians and enslavement of African-Americans. Children of pregnant women who experienced famine carried a specific chemical marker, or an ‘epigenetic signature’, on one of their genes. This phenotypic change in the DNA sequence affects how cells read genes.2 The study of the Dutch Hunger Winter case that subjected many pregnant women in the Netherlands to famine, provided a breakthrough in the field of epigenetics. Epigenetic changes don’t involve alterations of DNA sequences but can cause phenotypic changes. Trauma researchers are just beginning to explore the impact of intergenerational trauma and its genetic expression.1 Intergenerational trauma occurs when trauma experienced in one generation affects the health and well-being of genetically related future generations.4 Identifying these impacts genetically is the field of epigenetics. Many focus on psychological trauma, but don’t look into intergenerational impacts.

Many scientific studies have examined the victims of major traumatic events. Researchers are beginning to study the relationship between intergenerational trauma and genetic expression to answer the question, “Does trauma end at the initial victim?”1 Do You Carry the Trauma of Your Ancestors?ĭo you ever wonder how your grandparents or past ancestors reacted during historical events? Well, your DNA might contain more knowledge.

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