A growing body of research suggests that trauma (like from extreme stress or starvation among many other things) can be passed from one generation to the next. Here's how: Trauma can leave a chemical mark on a person's genes, which can then be passed down to future generations.

What is it called when trauma is passed down?

Transgenerational trauma, or intergenerational trauma is the psychological effects that the collective trauma experienced by a group of people has on subsequent generations in that group. ... When this collective trauma affects subsequent generations, then it is called transgenerational trauma.

Is there generational trauma?

Intergenerational trauma (sometimes referred to as trans- or multigenerational trauma) is defined as trauma that gets passed down from those who directly experience an incident to subsequent generations.