Breaking the Cycle of Intergenerational Trauma Dissertation

Abstract

omised behavioral health outcomes and trauma symptoms, suggesting a pattern of intergenerational trauma transmission. Breaking the cycle of inter-generational trauma is critical for the well-being of family and children, and has a relevance to social justice, because trauma diminishes life opportunities across generations and hinders social mobility. To inform behavioral health professionals to effectively work with parents who have trauma histories to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma transmission, this study has two specific aims 1) Identify the pathways from parents’ adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to their child’s behavioral problems and functioning; 2) Explore families’ lived experience of trauma transmission and behavioral health intervention strategies that can counteract the transmission of trauma and reduce the negative intergenerational effects of trauma. This