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IntergenerationalTrauma:

BreakingtheChain

Tom Antonek, Ph.D., HSPP, CAP

Licensed Psychologist

Health Service Provider Psychology

Certified Addiction Professional

(SAMHSA) / www.samhsa.gov)Defines Trauma:

“Individual trauma results from an event, seriesof events, or set of circumstances that isexperienced by an individual as physically oremotionally harmful or threatening and that haslasting adverse effects on the individual'sfunctioning and physical, social, emotional, orspiritual well-being.In short, trauma is the sum of the event, theexperience, and the effect.”

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SAMHSA 2005 /PTSD Prevalence

The lifetime prevalence of PTSD amongadults in the United States is about 8 percent

The rate of PTSD among people withsubstance use disorders is 12 to 34 percent

Trauma Includes Two Components

Psychological Trauma is an emotional state ofdiscomfort and stress resulting from memories ofan extraordinary catastrophic experience whichshattered the survivor’s sense of invulnerability toharm

Trauma is also manifest Behaviorally as a set ofconscious & unconscious actions and behaviorsassociated with dealing with the stresses ofcatastrophe and the period immediately afterwards.

Figley (1985)

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Transgenerational Trauma

o Transgenerational Trauma is a trauma that was transferred fromthe first generation of survivors that have experienced (orwitnessed) it directly in the past to the second and furthergenerations of offspring of the survivors via Complex post-traumatic stress disorder mechanisms.

o Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) alsoknown as multiple interrelated posttraumatic stress disorder is apsychological injury that results from protracted exposure toprolonged social and/or interpersonal trauma in the context ofeither captivity or entrapment (a situation lacking a viable escaperoute for the victim), which results in the lack or loss of control,helplessness, and deformations of identity and sense of self.

Fossion et al (2003) & Kellermann (2013)

Historical Etiology of Intergenerational Trauma

Concentration Camp Syndrome or Survivor Syndrome observed by clinicians in 1966 that a large number of children of Holocaust survivors were seeking treatment in clinics in Canada.

The grandchildren of Holocaust survivors were overrepresented by 300% among the referrals to a child psychiatry clinic in comparison with their representation in the general population.

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Historical Etiology of Intergenerational Trauma

The phenomenon of children of traumatized parents being affected directly or indirectly by their parents’ post-traumatic symptoms has been described by some authors as secondary traumatization (in reference to the second generation).

To include the third generation, as well, the term intergenerational transmission of trauma was introduced.

Trauma and Rebirth: Intergenerational effects of the Holocaust

Long Term consequences of the Holocaust on survivors and subsequent generations for many causes impairment & dysfunctionHowever, there are also many who demonstrate

variance of response to include overcoming the incapacitating impact of victimization and exposure to excessive and prolonged stress.

Sigal & Weinfeld (1989)

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Intergenerational Trauma From a Mental Health Perspective

Between 2004-2005, Dr. Menzies conductedresearch on a group of aboriginal men in Canada inan effort to identify links between homelessnessand intergenerational trauma

Research was conducted at Native Men’sResidence (NaMeRes) which is a 60-bedemergency hospital in downtown Toronto.

Menzies, (2010)

Intergenerational Trauma From a Mental Health Perspective

Many men were unable to provide details of theirown genealogy in part due to most them havingbeen removed from their homes at an early age

However, they were able to recall details of theirexperience within the context of the residentialschool experience, child welfare authority, and theimpact these systems had on their personal identity

Menzies, (2010)

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Mental Health Problems

o Aboriginals have higher rates of suicidewhen compared to the national average

o Comorbid Disorders for Aboriginals is estimated to be up to 70% of the population

o Higher levels of depression for aboriginalso Aboriginal youth are 2 to 6 times more

likely to use alcohol than non-aboriginals

(Health Canada, 2000; First Nations & Inuit Mental Wellness Advisory Committee, 2005; Canadian Medical Association, 1994; Health Canada, 1999)

Psychological related effects of PTSD on Native Peopleso Depressiono Angero Psychic Numbingo Hypervigilanceo Fixation on Traumao Somatizationo Survivor Guilto Victim Identityo Re-victimization by those in authorityo Fear of Authority & Intimacyo Domestic & Lateral Violence

(Mary Yellow Brave-Heart , 2003)

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Intergenerational TraumaImpacts Four Domains:

Individual, Family, Community, Nation

(Menzies, 2010, Waldram, 1997, Kirmayer et al., 2000;Duran, E. and Duran, B, 1995; & Putnam, 2000 )

Individual Indicators Lack of sense of belonging with diminished capacity to

affiliate with a specific family, community, culture, or nation Feeling of being abandoned by caregivers Limited or no information about one’s culture of birth

including language, customs, belief systems, and spirituality Inability to sustain personal or intimate relationships Low self-esteem Limited education or employment history History of substance misuse History of involvement in the criminal justice system

precipitated by involvement in substance misuse Involvement in the mental health system

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Family Indicators

Chronic or episodic family violence, including physical, sexual, emotional and or verbal abuse of children by adults in the household

Lack of emotional bonding between parents, siblings, and extended family members

Denial of cultural heritage by older family members Irregular contact or the absence of contact with

caregiver family members Evident and extensive alcohol/drug abuse that crosses

generations

Community Indicators

Unconcealed alcohol & drug abuse among community members

Lack of cultural opportunities, including transmission of language skills, history, traditional values, and spirituality

Low levels of social capital including trust, reciprocal helping relations, and social engagement

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National Indicators Popularization of negative stereotypes through

mainstream media Social policies that perpetuate colonization of peoples

on an individual, family, and community basis (i.e. reservations for Native-Americans & segregation of White/Black cultures prior to civil rights movement –with white race being valued and people of color or native devalued)

Lack of support for holistic programs and services for the minority culture

Lack of support for community self-determination

RACISM & DISCRIMINATION

o Racism & discrimination compound the impact of direct or personal trauma by allowing for the oppression of a community of peoples (i.e. Native Americans, African-Americans, Jewish Culture).

o The insidious trauma leads to a view that the world is an unsafe place for the entire group of peoples Shapes the lived experience of the individual within a given cultural group

(Root ,1992; Dutton, 1998)

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Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS)

PTSS is a condition that exists as a consequence of centuries of chattel slavery followed by institutionalized racism & oppression

This has resulted in multigenerational adaptive behavior

Some positive behavior reflecting resilience Some behavior that is harmful/destructive.

Ghetto & Welfare (1968-1975)

Welfare rules “no adult men in the home”

Decrease in low education industrial jobs

Drugs, crime, and family disintegration on inhabitants of the inner city

The exodus of jobs and the middle class

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Hyperghetto & Prison (1975-1990)o Hyperghetto extreme concentration of

poverty & underprivileged groups.o African-Americans & Caucasians both use

and sell drugs but African-Americans are 20 times more likely to be incarcerated for drug related arrests

o Drugs have a devastating impact on African-American women and children

o Concentrated police presence in the inner city

Freeze & Dissociation

• Depression, emptiness, detachment & difficulty defending self

• Conscious/Unconscious belief that things or people cannot change

• Not speaking up about inequity, a sense of resentment, shame, self-blame

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Some Conclusions Drawn from Intergenerational Trauma

Transgenerational Trauma is a trauma that was transferredfrom the first generation of survivors that have experienced (orwitnessed) it directly in the past to the second and furthergenerations of offspring of the survivors.

The role of affect regulation, narrative cohesion, and symbolicrepresentation are potent factors in the intergenerationaltransmission of the Holocaust experience

The quality of the survivor parent’s organization andintegration of affect has significant bearing on how the childassimilates the knowledge of the Holocaust and develops thecapacity to tolerate and express painful emotions.

Some Conclusions Drawn from Intergenerational Trauma

When individuals do not adequately deal with their trauma then it generally leads to their becoming involved in a number of systems to include: justice & judicial, child welfare, mental health & substance abuse treatment centers, and social service agencies related to homelessness.

Self-destructive behaviors of those individuals who are victims to intergenerational trauma include: aggression, adolescent suicide, alcohol & drug abuse/dependence, sexual promiscuity, physical inactivity, smoking, and obesity

(Van der Kolk, 2007)

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THE RED ROAD TO WELLBRIETY

IN THE NATIVE AMERICAN WAY

White Bison, Inc.www.whitebison.org

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Medicine Wheel The medicine wheel breaks the main

constructs of life into four elements, generally referred to as the four directions:

East, South, West, and North. There must be harmony between the

elements of life for balance to be achieved

(Morrisseau, 1998)

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Red Road 12-Steps

STEPS 1, 2, 3: (East - Recognize) Finding the Creator

STEPS 4, 5, 6: (South - Acknowledge) Finding Ourselves

STEPS 7, 8, 9: (West – Forgive) Finding Our Relatives

STEPS 10, 11, 12: (North - Change) Finding the Elder’s Wisdom

QUESTIONS????