Abstract
Negative events may not only linger on in the form of intrusive memories in the minds of those directly exposed but also in those who are only indirectly confronted with these events. The aim of the present study was to investigate if intrusions referring to indirectly experienced traumatic events do indeed occur, and to compare their frequency and characteristics to intrusions about directly experienced negative events. Participants (N = 98) were adult postwar offspring of World War Two survivors currently in treatment in one of two clinics specialized in the treatment of war victims. We examined the frequency and characteristics of intrusions about indirectly experienced (i.e., parent war-related) events and two types of directly (self-) experienced events: Self-experienced traumatic events and negative events related to participants’ upbringing. Intrusions referring to indirectly experienced traumatic events did indeed occur. The frequency as well as other characteristics of these intrusions did not differ from those of both types of intrusions about directly experienced events. The similarities between intrusions related to different types of events emphasize the (re)constructive nature of memory. Our findings indicate that traumatic events not only affect those directly involved but may also continue to plague the next generation.
Highlights
• Offspring of WW II survivors reported intrusions referring to their parents’ trauma.
• Characteristics of these intrusions did not differ from personal trauma intrusions.
• The findings provide support for the mnemonic model of traumatic memory.
• Traumatic events may continue to plague the next generation.
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Reference:
Patricia Dashorst, Rafaele J.C.Huntjens, Trudy M.Mooren, Rolf J.Kleber, Christine zu Eulenburg, Peter J.de Jong
| 2020
In: Journal of Anxiety Disorders, ISSN : 0887-6185 | 71 | april | 102209
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2020.102209Keywords:
Intergenerational Effects, Offspring, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Psychotrauma, PTSD (en), Survivors, Traumatic memories, World War II
