Abstract
Traumatic events affect individuals, families, and society in many different direct and indirect ways. In this chapter, I examine specific aspects of the intergenerational transmission of combat-related trauma by assessing the impact of a father’s combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on family life. What, if any, are the transgenerational effects of having a parent whose combat experiences have led to PTSD? In the United States, it is estimated that 30 million people (Lipsky et al., 1976), 13% of the total population has served in the Armed Forces and 50% percent have a first degree relative who is a veteran. Many of these veterans are combat soldiers who served in World War II, Korea, or the Vietnam War and may have combat-related PTSD. Investigation and understanding of intergenerational transmission are essential to comprehend the long-term outcome for the combat veteran with PTSD and his or her family.
Awareness of transmitted intergenerational processes will inhibit the transmission of pathology to succeeding generations.
I became tight-lipped and resentful. I got on with my life. I married and had children. But the rules of survival I mastered in Vietnam made parenting difficult. I can&x2019;#forget those rules … they are there like a broken record: “Kill or be killed,” “Don’t grieve,” “Survive at all costs,” “Be unpredictable—it’s safer,” “Shut off feelings.”
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Harkness, L.L. (1993). Transgenerational Transmission of War-Related Trauma. In: Wilson, J.P., Raphael, B. (eds) International Handbook of Traumatic Stress Syndromes. The Plenum Series on Stress and Coping. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2820-3_53
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