How Historical Trauma Impacts Mental Health Across Generations
A study conducted by researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in collaboration with colleagues in the United States has found a connection between mothers who experienced Holocaust trauma after the age of five and a higher risk of schizophrenia in their children. The analysis drew on data from the Jerusalem Perinatal Study, which tracks children born in West Jerusalem between 1964 and 1976, and cross-referenced it with records from Israel's National Psychiatric Registry.
The research examined hospitalizations for schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. The team identified a Holocaust-exposed group consisting of Jews born in Nazi-controlled countries who moved to Israel after persecution began. A key element of the study was classifying participants based on their age when the repression started:
- Under 5 years old
- Over 5 years old
The strongest link between trauma and schizophrenia risk emerged among mothers. When a woman endured persecution after turning five, her children faced more than double the risk of developing schizophrenia. This result remained statistically significant even after accounting for socioeconomic status, the child's birth weight, and the mother's own mental health history. In contrast, no elevated risk was found in children whose mothers were under five when the persecution began.
Among fathers, the connection between trauma and their children's schizophrenia risk lost statistical significance once sociodemographic factors were considered.
“Wars don't just have immediate consequences. They can create a long-term health burden for future generations, which is why studying these mechanisms is important for public health.” – Professor Hagai Hochner
This study highlights the importance of understanding how historical trauma affects the mental health of subsequent generations. The findings could inform public health and psychiatric interventions, suggesting that clinicians should consider a family's historical context when assessing children's risk for mental disorders. Investigating these long-term effects may also help develop more effective support programs for trauma survivors and their descendants.