Intergenerational Trauma and PTSD: Historic Wounds Necessitate Treatment Based on Individual Culture

Abstract

Intergenerational trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their effects are familiar to millions of people around the world. Broad sociological and systemic mechanisms continue to inflict trauma and reduce community healing by usurping access to curative cultural networks. This paper evaluates research showing that traditional therapies, although relevant to some demographics, are ineffectual or harmful when wrongfully applied to underrepresented groups. Diagnostic tools are similarly narrowly effective. Symptomatology should account for cultural differences, and therapy incorporating individual cultural beliefs should be more widely implemented. When personal spirituality and culture is encouraged throughout treatment protocols, individuals more successfully reach recovery. Practitioners are most helpful to this process as they work to personally understand their patients’ culture and spirituality.