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Cited by 130Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology ResearchPosttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchChild Abuse and Trauma

Preventing intergenerational trauma transmission: A critical interpretive synthesis

Isobel, Sophie, Goodyear, Melinda, Furness, Trentham, Foster, Kim·2019·Journal of Clinical Nursing
DOI 10.1111/jocn.14735
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Abstract

Aim and objective: To synthesise and critically interpret literature of relevance to intervening in intergenerational transmission of relational trauma within parent–infant relationships. Background: Intergenerational trauma is a discrete process and form of psychological trauma transmitted within families and communities. Intergenerational trauma can be transmitted through attachment relationships where the parent has experienced relational trauma and have significant impacts upon individuals across the lifespan, including predisposition to further trauma. Design: Critical interpretive synthesis (CIS) was used. CIS is an inductive qualitative process that generates new theory grounded within reviewed literature. Methods: The review commenced by systematically searching for literature on interventions for intergenerational trauma. As the core theoretical construct emerged, elements that may contribute to preventing intergenerational trauma were identified iteratively and influenced further searching. In the final synthesis, 77 articles were included from the fields of intergenerational trauma, trauma interventions and attachment interventions. The review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses checklist. Results: The key construct is that prevention of intergenerational trauma transmission is the key intervention. The two contributing constructs were identified as “resolving parental trauma” and “actively supporting parent–infant attachment.” Conclusions: Prevention is the most effective intervention approach for intergenerational transmission of trauma. Prevention requires trauma‐specific interventions with adults and attachment‐focused interventions within families. Preventative strategies need to target individual, relationship, familial, community and societal levels, as addressing and preventing trauma requires a multipronged, multisystemic approach. Relevance to clinical practice: Systematic trauma‐informed attachment‐focused interventions in health and social service settings are recommended. There are opportunities to provide multifocal individual and relational interventions within existing services that work with parents to help prevent the likelihood and impact of transmission of intergenerational relational trauma within families. Nurses are well placed to provide preventative interventions in mental health, early childhood and primary health settings.

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Crossref · 10.1111/jocn.14735

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  • Isobel and colleagues identified two contributing constructs for the prevention of intergenerational trauma transmission: 'resolving parental trauma' and 'actively supporting parent‐infant attachment'.

    “Our clinical recommendations are in line with Isobel and colleagues (140), who identified two contributing constructs for the prevention of intergenerational trauma transmission: “resolving parental trauma” and “actively supporting parent‐infant attachment.””

    From Mothering, Substance Use Disorders and Intergenerational Trauma Transmission: An Attachment-Based Perspective (2019) · cites this paper as [140]

  • Interventions including psychological support and family-based educational programs have shown promise in mitigating intergenerational effects.

    “Interventions including psychological support and family-based educational programs have shown promise in mitigating intergenerational effects (19).”

    From Epigenetic changes associated with multi-generational trauma: characterization, mechanisms, and therapeutics (2026) · cites this paper as [19]

  • Prevention and treatment approaches tend to span multiple levels, including trauma-focused therapy, attachment and relationship-based interventions, and broader strategies that support regulation through sleep, stress management, and health behaviors.

    “Prevention and treatment approaches therefore tend to span multiple levels, including trauma-focused therapy, attachment and relationship-based interventions, and broader strategies that support regulation through sleep, stress management, and health behaviors (19, 125–135).”

    From Epigenetic changes associated with multi-generational trauma: characterization, mechanisms, and therapeutics (2026) · cites this paper as [19]

  • Prevention remains a central strategy for reducing intergenerational risk, particularly when it targets unresolved trauma symptoms and early relational functioning.

    “Prevention remains a central strategy for reducing intergenerational risk, particularly when it targets unresolved trauma symptoms and early relational functioning (19).”

    From Epigenetic changes associated with multi-generational trauma: characterization, mechanisms, and therapeutics (2026) · cites this paper as [19]

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Authors
Isobel, S., Goodyear, M., Furness, T., & Foster, K.
Affiliations
  • Sydney Local Health District (AU)
  • Parenting Research Centre (AU)
  • Melbourne Health (AU)
Corresponding author
Isobel, Sophie
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Clinical Nursing
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2019-01-07
Volume
28
Issue
7-8
Pages
1100-1113
ISSN
  • 0962-1067 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2702
DOI
10.1111/jocn.14735
OpenAlex
W2903894738
Cited by
130
References
73
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
0.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Journal of Clinical Nursing (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Bank (Australian Catholic University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
Keywords
intergenerational trauma, trauma transmission, parent-infant attachment, trauma-informed interventions, injury prevention, trauma-informed care
MeSH terms
Psychological Trauma, Adult, Child, Humans, Infant, Parent-Child Relations, Parents, Intergenerational Relations, Qualitative Research

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