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PTSD in jewish holocaust survivors’ as a risk factor in the development of mental health conditions in their offspring

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 August 2021

S. Cooper*
Affiliation:
Pyrland Wand, Somerset Foundation Trust, Cheddon, Taunton, United Kingdom
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Transgenerational transmission of trauma (TTT) describes the residual ‘presence of the past’ through generations. This phenomenon has an established evidence base with Holocaust survivors (HS) and their offspring, who are hypothesised to be at a greater risk of psychiatric conditions. This advanced literature review explores the relationship between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in survivors and mental health conditions (MHC) in survivor’s offspring.

Objectives

The objective is to review the literature, looking for evidence of TTT and exploring the mechanisms of action of such phenomenon.

Methods

An advanced search was performed in three databases; Medline, Ovid PsycInfo and the Yehuda Schwarzbaum Online library using the following search terms; (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder OR PTSD) AND (Holocaust OR Shoah) AND (Offspring OR Children)’. 190 articles were identified and a following 163 were excluded. 26 studies were reviewed.

Results

Parental PTSD is circumstantially influential in parenting and attachment quality. Unfavourable attachments in offspring are associated with psychiatric conditions. Furthermore, poor health behaviour can be transmitted; for example, poor diet is an independent risk factor for depression. Psychopathology may pass intergenerationally; parental PTSD increases the risk of developing PTSD in response to one’s trauma. Parental PTSD can also result in impaired cortisol function and epigenetic changes.

Conclusions

PTSD in HS is an important risk factor for development of MHC in offspring. However, this does not mean all offspring develop MHC. The variability in offspring proneness to psychiatric conditions may reflect specific vulnerabilities. Further research is pertinent for an understanding of TTT. The poster will discuss clinical value.

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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