Addressing intergenerational trauma in Black families: Trauma-informed socioculturally attuned family therapy

Abstract

Increased attention to the prevalence and impact of traumatic experiences have been highlighted within the mental health field since Felitti et al.'s study of adverse childhood experiences. Black communities experience traumatic events at a higher rate than other racial groups. The phenomena of historical trauma, race-based trauma, and intergenerational trauma have been speculated to be reasons for this discrepancy. In this article, the authors explore factors that compound the traumatic experiences of Black communities, review socioculturally attuned family therapy and trauma-informed care, and propose an approach to addressing intergenerational trauma in Black families that integrates socioculturally attuned family therapy and trauma-informed care.