Psychological Trauma in the Context of Familial Relationships: A Concept Analysis

Abstract

Many forms of psychological trauma are known to develop interpersonally within important relationships, particularly familial. Within the varying theoretical constructs of psychological traumas, and distinct from the processes of diagnosis, there is a need to refine the scope and definitions of psychological traumas that occur within important familial relationships to ensure a cohesive evidence base and fidelity of the concept in application to practice. This review used a philosophical inquiry methodology of concept analysis to identify the definitions, antecedents, characteristics, and consequences of the varying conceptualizations of psychological trauma occurring within important relationships. Interactions between concepts of interpersonal trauma, relational trauma, betrayal trauma, attachment trauma, developmental trauma, complex trauma, cumulative trauma, and intergenerational trauma are presented. Understanding of the discrete forms and pathways of transmission of psychological trauma between individuals, including transgenerationally within families, creates opportunities for prevention and early intervention within trauma-focused practice. This review found that concepts of psychological trauma occurring within familial relationships are not exclusive of each other but overlap in their encompassment of events and circumstances as well as the effect on individuals of events in the short term and long term. These traumas develop and are transmitted in the space between people, both purposefully and incidentally, and have particularly profound effects when they involve a dependent infant or child. Linguistic and conceptual clarity is paramount for trauma research and practice.

Preventing intergenerational trauma transmission: A critical interpretive synthesis

“…Understanding that people are influenced by their environments in multiple ways is important at a public policy level, where “high‐risk” populations and families (in this case, families where primary trauma exists) are recognised to be influenced by wider social dynamics and that interventions targeting individuals need to consider the wider context within which individuals and families may be compromised (Isobel et al, ). This also includes recognition of the resilience, strategies and strengths that already exist within family, social and cultural groups.…”

“…This also includes recognition of the resilience, strategies and strengths that already exist within family, social and cultural groups. While services and individuals developing understandings of the pathways of transmission of psychological trauma between individuals, including transgenerationally within families, create opportunities for prevention (Isobel et al, ), preventing sustained effects of trauma is undoubtedly a multisystemic issue.…”

“…The theory of complex trauma was identified to be of particular relevance to intergenerational trauma intervention, as complex traumas encompass the multiple effects of cumulative experiences that begin in childhood, are usually interpersonal and occur within the caregiving system (Courtois, ). In intergenerational relational trauma, parental complex trauma may result in trauma occurring intergenerationally, or any parental trauma may manifest as complex trauma in the recipient (Isobel et al, ).…”

“…While some variation in language is to be expected, the wide scope of this review allowed a broad view of some overarching linguistic and methodological obstacles that stand in the way of progression of understanding of prevention of intergenerational trauma. Differing disciplines, fields or groups using the same or similar words with subtle or major conceptual differences in interpretation can impede cohesion (Isobel et al, ). Importantly, intergenerational, secondary and historical traumas are terms used at times used interchangeably, with potentially negative impacts upon all subconstructs.…”

“…Childhood trauma has impacts across the lifespan (Van der Kolk, ), with many adult health problems related to strategies, coping mechanisms and behaviours developed by the child to protect themselves from adversity (Felitti et al, ). Increasing understanding of trauma has resulted in the identification of differing types, categorised by the nature of the events, experiences and/or effects (Isobel, Goodyear, & Foster, ).…”