‘The cycle must stop here’: Patterns of intergenerational transmission of traumatizing WWII experiences in three generations

Abstract

This study investigates the intergenerational consequences of World War II (WWII) experiences in the Netherlands. It explores how trauma and resilience were transmitted across three generations and the role of communication in shaping these patterns. In 2021 and 2022, thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten families, each including one respondent from three generations. First-generation participants had experienced potentially traumatizing events, including persecution and wartime violence. Findings indicate that intergenerational impacts are heterogeneous: in some families, the second and third generations exhibited psychological effects related to the first generation's experiences, while in others, resilience and adaptive coping strategies predominated. Communication patterns varied and appeared to shape how generations experienced and interpreted past trauma, highlighting its potential role in intergenerational adaptation. Over time, families took deliberate steps to counteract negative patterns and foster resilience, and commemoration and reflection contributed to positive meaning-making. The results suggest that, 75 years after WWII, both adverse effects and resilience coexist across generations, with historical experiences serving as sources of both challenge and connection. Overall, this study provides a nuanced understanding of intergenerational transmission, emphasizing that the legacy of trauma can be intertwined with adaptive family processes and resilience.