This article tells the individual stories of children who have a parent(s) who survived genocide and as a result, could experience intergenerational trauma through genetics. The children of survivors come from around the world. The article explains an experiment done in New York City where Jewish Holocaust survivors and their children had lower levels of cortisol than other Jewish families who lived outside of Europe during World War II. Cortisol is the hormone that helps people cope with stress. Low levels of this hormone can cause social anxiety, depression, and emotional hypersensitivity. It’s important to note that not all children of survivors will experience intergenerational trauma.
Source: Amelia Pang. “Children of Genocide Survivors Can Inherit Trauma in Their DNA.” December 5, 2015. The Epoch Times. https://www.theepochtimes.com/children-of-genocide-survivors-can-inherit-trauma-in-their-dna_1910376.html