Re-experiencing the event can be evident in a client's intrusive recollections of the event, as in recurrent or distressing dreams. Defined as the re-experiencing of an extremely traumatic event, PTSD is accompanied by symptoms of increased arousal and avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma.

We offer both recommendations for practice to address the multilayered effects of transgenerational trauma due to CSA and suggestions for research to advance knowledge in this emergent area.Ībout 48% of children who are victims of sexual assault meet the criteria specified for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Deblinger, McLeer & Henry, 1990). The authors illustrate how intergenerational issues impact the presentation of CSA symptomology among young children, particularly those under 5, and their nonoffending primary caregivers. Defined as trauma that has been passed down from one generation to another, either directly or indirectly (Dass-Brailsford, 2007), transgenerational trauma extends the current discussion on trauma theory (Goodman & West-Olatunji, 2008). The purpose of this paper is to introduce transgenerational trauma as a lens for conceptualizing and treating young survivors of CSA and their primary caregivers. In addition to developmental problems, many such children have an increased risk of severe psychosocial, emotional, and behavioral problems (Bosquet, 2007 Gil, 2006). Finkelhor (2007) has charged that the problem with CSA research is the focus on adults, when CSA is more common with children under 5. The authors also highlight effective clinical programs on CSA among young children that acknowledge the influence of intergenerational trauma.Įach year, an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 new cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) are reported (McLeer, Deblinger, Atkins, Foa & Ralphe, 1988).

Specific interventions are pointed out to offer mental health counselors innovative tools for ameliorating the effects of transgenerational trauma with this client population. In this paper the authors review the literature on CSA, the influence of primary caregivers, and transgenerational trauma, followed by a case illustration. Dass-Brailsford (2007) defined transgenerational trauma as trauma that has been passed down from one generation to another, either directly or indirectly. While current research on child sexual abuse (CSA) has delineated the immediate and long-term effects of sexual trauma, little has been written about intergenerational influences on the presence and etiology of CSA among young children.

Intergenerational trauma abuse