Date of Award
8-1-2024
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Sahu, Ankita
Second Advisor
Habib, Reza
Abstract
Many scholars have argued that existing conceptualizations of trauma such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Ed.; DSM-5) conceptualization are inapplicable for individuals of marginalized communities. Individuals of marginalized communities may experience historical trauma, racial trauma, identity-related trauma, or collective trauma. Moreover, the effects of these forms of trauma may persist throughout different generations via biological transmission (e.g., epigenetics) or via interpersonal transmission (e.g., emotion socialization, cultural socialization, attachment, communication styles, behavioral socialization). The generational effects of these forms of trauma are referred to as intergenerational trauma. There has been a paucity of empirical explorations of intergenerational trauma, especially among those with multiple marginalized identities (e.g., LGBTQ+ BIPOC individuals). This study explored experiences of intergenerational trauma and healing among 10 LGBTQ+ BIPOC individuals through semi-structured interviews. Their responses were analyzed using constructivist grounded theory methodology and the Intergenerational Trauma Experiences and Healing (ITEH) model was generated to describe the social processes involved in the participants’ experiences of intergenerational trauma. The ITEH model involves several social processes including: (a) experiencing multifaceted forms of intergenerational trauma, (b) carrying intergenerational trauma’s impacts on the self, (c) seeing intergenerational trauma’s impact on others/generations, and (d) healing from intergenerational trauma. Research, clinical, and advocacy implications of the ITEH model are discussed. Keywords: trauma, intergenerational, resilience, healing, QTBIPOC
Access
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