Preventing intergenerational trauma transmission: A critical interpretive synthesis

Abstract

Aim and objective: To synthesise and critically interpret literature of relevance to intervening in intergenerational transmission of relational trauma within parentinfant relationships. Background: Intergenerational trauma is a discrete process and form of psychological trauma transmitted within families and communities. Intergenerational trauma can be transmitted through attachment relationships where the parent has experienced relational trauma and have significant impacts upon individuals across the lifespan, including predisposition to further trauma. Design: Critical interpretive synthesis (CIS) was used. CIS is an inductive qualitative process that generates new theory grounded within reviewed literature. Methods: The review commenced by systematically searching for literature on interventions for intergenerational trauma. As the core theoretical construct emerged, elements that may contribute to preventing intergenerational trauma were identified iteratively and influenced further searching. In the final synthesis, 77 articles were included from the fields of intergenerational trauma, trauma interventions and attachment interventions. The review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Results:The key construct is that prevention of intergenerational trauma transmission is the key intervention. The two contributing constructs were identified as "resolving parental trauma" and "actively supporting parent-infant attachment." Conclusions: Prevention is the most effective intervention approach for intergenerational transmission of trauma. Prevention requires trauma-specific interventions with adults and attachment-focused interventions within families. Preventative strategies need to target individual, relationship, familial, community and societal levels, as addressing and preventing trauma requires a multipronged, multisystemic approach. Relevance to clinical practice: Systematic trauma-informed attachment-focused interventions in health and social service settings are recommended. There are opportunities to provide multifocal individual and relational interventions within existing services that work with parents to help prevent the likelihood and impact of transmission of intergenerational relational trauma within families. Nurses are well | 1101 ISOBEL Et aL.

Mothering, Substance Use Disorders and Intergenerational Trauma Transmission: An Attachment-Based Perspective

“…Although there is no consensus regarding the content and modality of an integrated treatment approach focusing on trauma and SUDs (139), this study stipulates its necessity for substance abuse treatment. Our clinical recommendations are in line with Isobel and colleagues (140), who identified two contributing constructs for the prevention of intergenerational trauma transmission: “resolving parental trauma” and “actively supporting parent‐infant attachment.” Findings reveal the importance of promoting trauma-informed parenting interventions for facilitating secure emotional connections between mothers with SUDs and their children. In addition, supporting mothers in developing alternative pathways for dealing with their suffering requires that trauma disclosures should always be validated and processed within the therapeutic framework, in close consultation with mothers themselves and with their needs in this regard as a guiding principle.…”

A systematic review to investigate whether the current family court process in Scotland, leads to emotionally functional adults in cases of adverse childhood experiences.

“…As established, children instinctively seek parental attention for their safety and security needs, such as a loving, supporting and nurturing environment. For maltreated children, this traditional bond is interrupted causing insecure attachment disorders (Isobel et al, 2018), developmental deficits and stress-related symptoms as a consequence (Yoon et al, 2019). In a study investigating the long-term health outcomes for victims of childhood maltreatment from Norman and colleagues (2012), it was reported that abused children were at a greater risk of developing depressive disorders in comparison to non-abused individuals and were inclined to display negative emotional and behavioural outcomes in adulthood.…”

“…Empathy not only reflects the ability to understand and respond appropriately to the thoughts and feelings of others cognitively, but is also an environmental construct, that depends on healthy social interaction to develop the ability to internally experience other's thoughts and feelings on an affective level. Attachment theory tells us the importance of forming a secure attachment with a primary care-giver (Isobel et al, 2018), as an insecure attachment can lead to a deficit in empathy development (Khodabakhsh, 2012;Levy et al, 2019). It is well documented in the literature that exposure to trauma in childhood significantly increases the likelihood of impairment in empathic function (Mazza et al, 2015), for example, Halevi and colleagues (2016) report that over 80% of children suffering chronic trauma from war exposure, developed a clinical disorder during their childhood.…”

“…Accordingly, the relationship experiences we have in early childhood, significantly impact not only our social and emotional development, but also our ability to develop relationships in adulthood. Research has shown that securely attached children perform better in an educational setting (Maynard et al, 2017), have higher levels of self-esteem (Yoon et al, 2019) and form better relationships with their own children and partners (Isobel et al, 2018). While adversity can be a positive factor in childhood development fostering growth potential (Sciaraffa et al, 2018), continued exposure to extreme adversity, particularly when children have insecure attachments, can be detrimental to their development and general health and well-being (Waldman-Levi et al, 2015).…”

Working Relationally with Adolescents Who Have Experienced Complex Interpersonal Trauma: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

“…Furthermore, qualitative studies can enrich the understanding of practitioners' experiences whilst working with traumatised populations (Mattar and Vogel 2014). Specifically, a focus on child and adolescent research has been advocated by international bodies (International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies [ISSTS], 2017) in line with the development of early interventions to counteract the effects of adverse childhood experiences (Felitti et al 1998) and intergenerational trauma (Isobel et al 2019). Resonating with the acknowledgement that the attention to young people' perspectives can optimise treatment guidelines (van Wesel et al 2014), practitioners' accounts can illuminate the process of the therapeutic relationship from the therapist's perspective as there might be specific systemic, emotional and experiential dynamics (Lowe 2016).…”