Healing Ancestral Trauma to Improve Workplace Dynamics

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Experiences from one’s childhood and their parents’ and grandparents’ childhoods build on each other to create a unique perspective. This is especially true of traumatic experiences. Traumatic experiences can be impactful on your life even if you never experienced any trauma yourself.

For example: A grandmother who was abused will parent differently than one who grew up in a loving, caring home. This parenting style may then be unconsciously mimicked by her daughter when she has her own children. And the cycle continues. Past family trauma can hijack your potential in life.

Intergenerational trauma refers to the effects of trauma that are passed from one generation to the next. Healing intergenerational trauma requires a journey of self-discovery toward a deeper understanding of its root causes. It has been discovered that changes in the expression of genes (epigenetics) can occur in those who have experienced significant trauma. Research has shown biochemical changes in the expression of genes which code for how we manage stress. It is then postulated that these changes are ultimately passed to future generations. This means that an individual’s trauma may alter their genetic expression – for example, turning on a gene for substance-use disorders or eating disorders.

Wherever you go, you take your trauma with you. This includes the workplace. If leadership is more aware of how intergenerational trauma (IGT) presents, they may also be able to recognize some of the signs that show up in the workplace that indicate behaviors that may be rooted in IGT.

In the workplace, the effects of IGT can show up in positive ways as well as in maladaptive behaviors. For example, an individual with IGT may be more resilient and more able to persist despite challenges or setbacks. They may also have a great work ethic. Individuals with IGT may also have more empathy and compassion and may be more able to foster inclusivity in the workplace.

Some of the ways IGT effects can have a negative impact on the workplace include:

• Hypervigilance (being on “red alert”) may cause anxiety which then makes it harder to be focused and to deal with stressors.
• Research on offspring of Holocaust survivors has shown that individuals with IGT may have trouble trusting colleagues, which can make teamwork difficult.
• An employee or leader who has the need to control and micromanage their direct reports may also have a history of IGT.
• While some leaders may be decisive and confident, others may be demanding and rigid.

Sources of Intergenerational Trauma

• IGT may occur from childhood traumas including divorce, witnessing domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness or substance use disorder, having a family member who is incarcerated, or experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual abuse or neglect.
• Other sources of trauma include natural disasters, war, immigration stress, and racism.

Symptoms of Intergenerational Trauma

• low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression
• being easily upset
• having difficulty making decisions, managing money, or managing time
• difficulty trusting others
• absenteeism
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms including having negative thinking, being easily startled, always being on “red alert," engaging in maladaptive coping measures such as use of drugs or alcohol, trouble sleeping, difficulty with focus and concentration, trouble with anger or rage, or experiencing overwhelming guilt or shame.

Racism and discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, or religion may exacerbate the signs and symptoms of IGT — or can fuel empathy if accepted and if the associated trauma can be healed.

Healing the Effects of IGT

1. Identify your personal narrative and how it is affecting you today. Learning about the history of trauma in one’s family can be a powerful tool to increase awareness of the effects of trauma. The opportunity to honestly examine how past trauma affects one’s life today can unravel its impact and catalyze transformation. A leader who supports mental health awareness in the workplace and has a true understanding of how one’s past affects one’s present and future creates a culture of inclusivity where every employee feels safe to be authentic.
2. Inviting an expert in intergenerational trauma to speak with your team can offer strategies and guidance to optimize the healing process. It may feel uncomfortable for employees to delve into personal experiences with a stranger, but this support delivers the resources and tools needed to heal. Offering education about intergenerational trauma and other types of professional support can awaken an understanding in employees that their symptoms are not their fault. Rather, they are the ripple effects of IGT.
3. Building and learning resilience will help employees and leaders thrive. Being aware of everyone’s needs and deploying strategies to develop resilience is integral to creating a culture of well-being and mental health awareness in the workplace. Additionally, demonstrating support for individuals as they embark on a meaningful healing journey is integral to its success.
4. Self-care is the key to healing IGT. While a leader cannot erase ancestral trauma for employees, they can encourage self-care measures to heal from its effects and guide employees into breaking the cycle. Creating opportunities to infuse solace in the workplace environment allows employees to focus on self-care for the mind, body, and soul, which is critical for the recovery process.

Creating a Transformative Narrative to Interrupt IGT

Offering employees the time, space and support to work with an expert to aid in uncovering and treating hidden wounds is one key to successful healing. In the workplace, this support may come in the form of a mental health keynote speaker who can offer insights around how family trauma affects the workplace and helps employees feel empowered to break the cycle and live their best lives.

Every individual has the power to transcend ancestral trauma and improve the narrative of their life. Leaders who offer employees the support, resources, and guidance necessary to recognize the roots of trauma will aid them in disrupting its power and redirecting it to develop a positive arc that continues to improve life (and work) today, tomorrow, and for years to come. This begins with leaders working to gain a deeper understanding of individual experiences, perspectives, and challenges related to past trauma and creating an environment in which every individual feels safe being their authentic selves.

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To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.