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A psychotherapeutic exploration of the narrative of trauma transmission from vulnerability to resilience in grandchildren of Holocaust Survivors

Year: 2014
Type: report
Abstract: Next year will mark 70 years since the liberation of the concentration camps from the\nNazis. Extensive research has covered the effects of the trauma on the survivors and their\nchildren. Clinical research on survivors, especially directly after the war and in recent years\nwhen many are facing their own death and that of loved ones, describe people still haunted\nby their past. The literature on the transmission of trauma to Offspring of Holocaust\nSurvivors (OHS) remains divided about what, how and if Holocaust trauma is transmitted.\nLately, researchers have started concentrating on the grandchildren of Holocaust Survivors\n(GHS). Some research depicts stories of transmission of post traumatic disorder or\nvulnerability. Others concentrate on transmission of post traumatic growth or resilience.\nThis paper aims to explore this controversy within the research of trauma transmission.\nThe non-clinical literature has not found any psychopathology in the general population of\nGHS. However, some GHS appear to display maladaptive behaviour possibly linked to\nhaving a survivor grandparent. These are sometimes presented as a vulnerability and other\ntimes as a resilience. The various methodologies, modes, definitions of pathology and\nvariables used in the studies can be partially attributed to the differences in findings. As the\ntime from the original trauma passes, the difficulties in assessing the effects increase.\nSome clinical research have indicated a possible link between communication and parenting\nstyles and trauma transmission. The GHS have been described as helping to bridge\nthe gap in communication between the generations. Many unknowns still exist about trauma\ntransmission to GHS therefore more research in this area is still required in assessing\nthe possible role interfamily communication plays.
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1753402225
Cites: 29
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Related to: 10