Intergenerational trauma occurs when the effects of trauma are passed down between generations. This typically can occur when a parent has experienced abuse as a child. Because of that trauma and abuse, it tends to be handed down/impact their future children, as their parenting tends to reflect their trauma. Sometimes, people tend to experience their own trauma along with what their parents hand down to them. Below are some references in which further explains the link between generational trauma and criminal behavior.

• Ford, J. D., Steinberg, K. L., Moffitt, K. H., & Zhang, W. (2008). Breaking the cycle of trauma and criminal justice involvement: The Mothers Overcoming and Managing Stress (MOMS) study. University of Connecticut Health Center, Department of Psychiatry.
• Ford, K., Kelly, S., Evans, J., Newbury, A., Meredith, Z., & Roderick, J. (2017). Adverse Childhood Experiences: Breaking the Generational Cycle of Crime: Turning Understanding into Action: Summary Report. Public Health Wales NHS Trust.
• Fox, B. H., Perez, N., Cass, E., Baglivio, M. T., & Epps, N. (2015). Trauma changes everything: Examining the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and serious, violent and chronic juvenile offenders. Child Abuse & Neglect, 46, 163–173.
• Herrenkohl, T.I., Jung, H., Kim, M., & Lee, J.O. (2016). Effects of Child Maltreatment, Cumulative Victimization Experiences, and Proximal Life Stress on Adult Crime and Antisocial Behavior. Retrieved from: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/250506.pdf
• Jäggi, L. J., Mezuk, B., Watkins, D. C., & Jackson, J. S. (2016). The relationship between trauma, arrest, and incarceration history among black Americans. Society and Mental Health, 6(3), 187–206.
• Lamb, W. & Women of York Correctional Institution. (2003). Couldn’t keep it to myself: Testimonies from our imprisoned sisters. Regan Books.
• Wolff, N. and Shi, J. (2012). Childhood and adult trauma experiences of incarcerated persons and their relationship to adult behavioral health problems and treatment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 9(5), 1908-1926.

1. What is generational trauma, and how can it affect future generations?
2. What can be done to reverse generational trauma?
3. For those who have experienced generational trauma, when did you discover you wanted to break the cycle?
4. How can generational trauma affect someone’s path to criminality?
5. What are some examples of how generational trauma can affect someone’s future?