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The role of parental negative world assumptions in the intergenerational transmission of war trauma

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Abstract

Purpose

Among the most prevalent and adverse sequalae of traumatic experiences are negative world assumptions (WAs), which describe trauma-related negative cognitions regarding the self, the world, and others. Even though a wealth of studies has shown intrapersonal associations between negative WAs and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), there has been little research on how WAs may affect family systems. This study examined the intergenerational associations between parental WAs, paternal PTSS, and maternal secondary traumatic stress (STS) on adult–children’s STS in veterans’ families. It was hypothesized that negative paternal WAs would mediate the association between parental PTSS/STS and adult–children’s STS.

Methods

Three domains of WAs (benevolence of the world, meaningfulness of the world, and self-worth) and PTSS were prospectively assessed in 123 father–mother–offspring triads of former Israeli veterans of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, their wives and adult offspring. Data were collected in 2003, 2008, and 2014, and analyzed using triadic path modeling.

Results

Mothers’ STS was associated with children’s STS via negative maternal WAs on world benevolence. Fathers’ PTSS was related to children’s STS via fathers’ WAs on world benevolence and self-worth. Moreover, fathers’ WAs on world benevolence and self-worth mediated the intergenerational transmission of STS from mothers to offspring. No effects were found for meaningfulness WAs.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that parental WAs related to world benevolence and paternal self-worth contribute to intergenerational trauma transmission. Clinical implications favor cognitive and systemic approaches to therapy that address negative benevolence and self-worth assumptions and involve the entire family system.

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Funding

This research was supported by the I-CORE Program of the Planning and Budgeting Committee, The Israel Science Foundation (grant No 1916/12), and the Swiss National Science Foundation (P300P1_177751).

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Author notes

  1. Rahel Bachem and Johanna Scherf are co-first authors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. I-Core Research Center for Mass Trauma, Tel Aviv University, Chaim Levanon 30, 699780, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Rahel Bachem, Yafit Levin & Zahava Solomon

  2. Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel-Aviv University, P.O.B. 39040, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Rahel Bachem, Yafit Levin & Zahava Solomon

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht Street 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany

    Johanna Scherf & Michela Schröder-Abé

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  1. Rahel Bachem
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  2. Johanna Scherf
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  3. Yafit Levin
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  4. Michela Schröder-Abé
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  5. Zahava Solomon
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Contributions

Conceptualization: RB, YL, JS; methodology: YL; Formal analysis and investigation: YL, JS; writing—original draft preparation RB, JS; writing—review and editing: RB, JS, MS-A; funding acquisition: ZS; resources: ZS; supervision: ZS, RB, MSA.

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Correspondence to Rahel Bachem.

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Bachem, R., Scherf, J., Levin, Y. et al. The role of parental negative world assumptions in the intergenerational transmission of war trauma. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 55, 745–755 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-019-01801-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-019-01801-y

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