Breaking the Cycle of Transgenerational Trauma

Epigenetics is the gift that keeps on giving. Trauma is passed on from our ancestors through our DNA. From a recent article found here on Substack from Between the Two Seas, by Rebecca Hooper:

When I first started studying evolution, I was astonished by the field of epigenetics. Epigenetic molecules attach themselves to our genetic code during our lifetime, in response to traumatic events. They modify how our bodies interpret our DNA, improving our ability to withstand, to survive. If we live through a famine, for example, these molecules make our bodies put weight on more easily, therefore improving our chances of surviving in a world where food is scarce.

Mothers and fathers pass these molecules on to their children and grandchildren. This is what we call epigenetic inheritance1. What it means is that the various traumas endured by our recent ancestors are mapped within our bodies, cradled within our cells. What it means is that the various traumas of our own lifetimes will be mapped inside the bodies of those who come next. This map serves as a survival mechanism; a way for our bodies to prepare for what might come. A gift handed down from one body to the next.

As a master trainer for ACEs Interface, I learned about the correlations between high ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) scores and downstream mental health and substance use disorders. As someone with a high ACEs score myself, I now understand that as a population, people with an ACEs score of 4 or more (out of 10), are:

· 12 times more at risk for suicide

· 7 times more likely to develop alcoholism

· 4 times more likely to develop depression

· 2-4 times higher risk of using alcohol or other drugs

· 2-4 times more likely to begin substance us at a young age

· 2 times higher rate of heart disease or lung cancer[i]

In my upcoming book, Healing a Village: A Practical Guide to Building Recovery Ready Communities, I talk about ACEs and evidence-based approaches to mitigate childhood trauma. Just as Adverse Childhood Experiences have a negative effect on individuals, families, and communities, Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) can buffer against the health effects of adverse experiences for individuals, families, and communities. Dr. Christina Bethel, Professor of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, has conducted extensive research on the effects of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), and provides a roadmap to help our children build resilience and flourish as adults.

According to Dr. Bethell, assessing and proactively promoting PCEs may reduce adult mental and relational health problems, even in the concurrent presence of ACEs.[ii] Dr. Bethell analyzed the data from the 2019 Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Study of a representative sample of 6,188 adults 18 and older in that state. In this survey, respondents were asked how often they:

· Felt able to talk to their family about feelings

· Felt their family stood by them during difficult times

· Enjoyed participating in community traditions

· Felt a sense of belonging in high school

· Felt supported by friends

· Had at least two non-parent adults who took genuine interest in them

· Felt safe and protected by an adult in their home

From this survey, Dr. Bethell found that adults with fewer PCES (0-2) were over 5 times more likely to experience depression and poor mental health compared to adults who had a high number PCEs

A similar study published by the National Library of Health found PCEs involving children who had supportive relationships and nurturing environments are strongly associated with improved mental and physical health in adulthood.[iii] Survey participants who reported having strong peer relationships during childhood, supportive school environments, and lived in neighborhoods where they felt safe, were less likely to report health problems as adults.

However, there is reason for hope because the effects of toxic stress are treatable and preventable. Kids brains are neuroplastic in that with protective factors, healing can occur, and kids can build skills, tap into our capacity for resilience

Breaking the cycle of transgenerational trauma can occur in the individual, family, and community. My next entry for this newsletter will focus on building resilience.

[i] SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center. Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Role of Substance Misuse Prevention. n.d.

[ii] Bethell, Christina, Jack Jones, Narangerel Gombojav, Jeffrey Linkenbach, and Robert Sege. "Positive Childhood Experiences and Adult Mental and Relational Health in a Statewide Sample: Associations Across Adverse Childhood Experiences Levels." JAMA Pediatrics 173, no. 11 (2019): e193007. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.3007.

[iii] La Charite, J., M. Khan, R. Dudovitz, T. Nuckols, N. Sastry, C. Huang, Y. Lei, and A. Schickedanz. "Specific Domains of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) Associated with Improved Adult Health: A Nationally Representative Study." SSM - Population Health 24 (November 11, 2023): 101558.