Examining intergenerational transmission of Holocaust trauma as it relates to Jewish identity, communication type, and mental well-being

A growing body of literature has examined how historical trauma can transmit across generations. Within this literature, one's level of enculturation is thought to impact their awareness of historical losses, which, in turn, is hypothesized to relate to mental well-being.

Some studies have suggested that family communication about historical trauma can impact the strength of cultural identity and mental well-being. The current study sampled second- and third-generation Holocaust survivors to examine how family communication about the Holocaust relates to historical loss awareness and the strength of Jewish identity. Adults (N = 98) with relatives who had either been killed in or who survived the Holocaust completed online questionnaires. First, we examined the associations among Jewish identity, historical loss awareness, and family communication about the Holocaust. Next, we examined whether Holocaust-related family communication type predicted mental well-being. Healthy communication was classified as frequent and willing, and unhealthy communication was classified as indirect and guilt-inducing.

Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that stronger Jewish identity and more frequent family Holocaust communication predicted more historical loss awareness, R2 = .22. Unhealthy communication was related to poorer mental well-being, R2 = .09, lending support to the idea that family narratives about trauma impact the next generation. Implications for healing from historical trauma are discussed.