Intergenerational Traumas Effect on Next-Generation Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Marginalized Populations
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2023
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Abstract
This literature review explores how the transmission of intergenerational trauma can affect the next generations' adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) within marginalized populations. The research question for the abstract was to evaluate intergenerational trauma transmission's role more clearly in next-generation ACE formulation. To answer the proposed research question, a review of current psychological articles was conducted to find gaps in knowledge. The synthesized review consisting of twenty-four articles on intergenerational trauma and next-generation ACEs for marginalized populations began from October to December 2023. Study outcomes included an increase in child development of ACEs through internal and external factors (21%) such as poverty, health equity, housing stability, racism, state-perpetuated violence, and immigration. Findings spoke to understanding ACEs and combating those effects with resilience interventions and strategies to offset later-life physical, behavioral, and mental health disorders. Results confirmed that there is evidence to support a causal inference to the claim that maternal ACEs impact children's development and poor social and emotional outcomes that potentially cause mental health symptoms (such as depression and anxiety). Further empirical research is required to understand intergenerational trauma in marginalized families better, as well as the different types and levels of trauma experienced and how it manifests from generation to generation. Furthermore, a more comprehensive ACE evaluation should consider individual and community ACE indicators. This will help to improve public health initiatives for adversity at the community level by providing a more accurate explanation of the mechanisms by which ACE effects are transmitted to public health at the population level.
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Intergenerational trauma, Adverse childhood experiences, Trauma-informed care, Marginalized populations