Collective traumas, such as war, genocide, natural disasters, and systemic oppression, have profound and lasting effects, not only on survivors but also on their descendants. Understanding how these traumas are transmitted across generations is essential for shaping effective interventions and policy.
This presentation is based on a systematic review of quantitative studies examining psychological and physiological outcomes in second-generation descendants of individuals exposed to collective trauma (published in BMC Psychology, July 2025; DOI: 10.1186/s40359-025-03012-4). From 3,904 records the review synthesized 18 peer-reviewed quantitative studies published between 1997 and 2022, highlighting three key domains of impact.
• Physiological: Altered stress regulation and brain structure point to biological embedding of trauma across generations.
• Psychological: Second-generation descendants frequently exhibit elevated distress and trauma-related symptoms, with parental PTSD emerging as a consistent predictor.
• Social: Trauma shaped identity and relationships, often fostering mistrust and emotional restraint.
While these findings underscore the reality of intergenerational trauma, the evidence base remains limited by small samples, cross-sectional designs, and reliance on self-report measures. More rigorous, longitudinal studies are needed to deepen understanding of transmission pathways.
Beyond synthesizing evidence, this talk will draw clinical and cultural reflections from practice in Lebanon, a context where both historical and ongoing traumas converge. By bridging research and frontline insights, the presentation highlights the need for multifaceted responses, integrating trauma-focused therapies, early screening for stress sensitivity, and culturally informed, community-level interventions.