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Cited by 344Migration, Health and TraumaRacial and Ethnic Identity ResearchMemory, History, Trauma, Identity

Intergenerational Trauma in Refugee Families: A Systematic Review

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Sangalang, Cindy C., Vang, Cindy·2017·Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
DOI 10.1007/s10903-016-0499-7PMC PMC5362358
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Abstract

Although a robust literature describes the intergenerational effects of traumatic experiences in various populations, evidence specific to refugee families is scattered and contains wide variations in approaches for examining intergenerational trauma. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, the purpose of this systematic review was to describe the methodologies and findings of peer-reviewed literature regarding intergenerational trauma in refugee families. In doing so we aimed to critically examine how existing literature characterizes refugee trauma, its long-term effects on descendants, and psychosocial processes of transmission in order to provide recommendations for future research. The results highlight populations upon which current evidence is based, conceptualizations of refugee trauma, effects of parental trauma transmission on descendants' health and well-being, and mechanisms of transmission and underlying meanings attributed to parental trauma in refugee families. Greater methodological rigor and consistency in future evidence-based research is needed to inform supportive systems that promote the health and well-being of refugees and their descendants.

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  • The reviewed studies were consistent in reporting parent- and family-related variables as the most salient mechanisms of transmission.

    “As reported by Sangalang and Vang (2017) and as echoed in the broader intergenerational trauma field (Dashorst, Mooren, Kleber, de Jong, & Huntjens, 2019), the reviewed studies were consistent in reporting parent- and family-related variables as the most salient mechanisms of transmission.”

    From Crossing borders: a systematic review identifying potential mechanisms of intergenerational trauma transmission in asylum-seeking and refugee families (2020) · cites this paper as Sangalang and Vang (2017)

    The Discussion says the literature was “fairly consistent” in describing parenting and family interactions as playing significant roles in transmission, and the psychosocial-mechanisms section describes studies of those pathways. It does not rank parent- and family-related variables as the most salient mechanisms; that part overstates the review's conclusion. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • The same factors may serve as mechanisms for trauma transmission regardless of whether a child has been trauma-exposed and irrespective of children's age.

    “This confers the findings reported by Sangalang and Vang (2017) and demonstrates that the same factors may serve as mechanisms for trauma transmission regardless of whether a child has been trauma-exposed and irrespective of children's’ age.”

    From Crossing borders: a systematic review identifying potential mechanisms of intergenerational trauma transmission in asylum-seeking and refugee families (2020) · cites this paper as Sangalang and Vang (2017)

    The Discussion (page unavailable) identifies parenting and family interactions as potential mechanisms of trauma transmission, supporting the core point. But the Methods limit the reviewed studies to offspring who had not directly experienced political trauma or had fled very young, and the Results report different age groups without establishing that the same mechanisms operate irrespective of age. The review therefore does not support the claim's exposure- and age-independent qualifiers. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • In contrast to Sangalang and Vang (2017) review, an examination of independent intergenerational effects of trauma transmission was possible.

    “Consequently, and in contrast to Sangalang and Vang (2017) review, an examination of independent intergenerational effects of trauma transmission was possible.”

    From Crossing borders: a systematic review identifying potential mechanisms of intergenerational trauma transmission in asylum-seeking and refugee families (2020) · cites this paper as Sangalang and Vang (2017)

  • The intergenerational transmission of cultural trauma has been clearly observed in multiple populations including Holocaust survivors, refugees, combat veterans, and Indigenous populations.

    “The intergenerational transmission of cultural trauma has been clearly observed in multiple populations including Holocaust survivors (Yehuda et al., 2008), refugees (Field et al., 2013; Sangalang and Vang, 2017), combat veterans (Dekel and Goldblatt, 2008), and Indigenous populations (Brave Heart, 2003; Kirmayer et al., 2014).”

    From Cultural trauma as a fundamental cause of health disparities (2022) · cites this paper as Sangalang and Vang, 2017

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Research works printed but not linked: 24

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Authors
Sangalang, C. C., & Vang, C.
Affiliations
Arizona State University (US)
Corresponding author
Sangalang, Cindy C.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2016-09-22
Volume
19
Issue
3
Pages
745-754
ISSN
  • 1557-1912 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-1920
DOI
10.1007/s10903-016-0499-7
PMC
PMC5362358
OpenAlex
W2522428851
Cited by
344
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 33 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 43 · 2023: 47 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 40 · 2020: 65 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 4
FWCI
1.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (unspecified)
Locations
  • Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (P20MD002316)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Memory, History, Trauma, Identity
Keywords
intergenerational trauma, refugee families, refugee trauma, trauma transmission, parental trauma, psychosocial processes, health and well-being, methodological quality
MeSH terms
Psychological Trauma, Health Status, Humans, Mental Health, Refugees, Violence, Warfare, Intergenerational Relations

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