Intergnerational Trauma and its Effects on Family Dynamics and Self-Identity

Intergenerational trauma is a phenomenon that deals with the transfer of trauma to other generations, through the retelling of those traumas. This affects many communities with collective trauma, or CPTSD, starting with the older generation that first experienced it and continuing to younger and younger generations until that trauma is dealt with.This thesis aims at dissecting how trauma is passed on to younger generations, and the effects it can have on family dynamics and self identity, through symptoms similar to PTSD.. It focuses on the start and history of said traumas, as well as the conversation of this topic among different communities. As well as taking a closer look into the phenomenon through the experiences of Somali refugees residing in the Dadaab Refugee Camps, located in Kenya. Confined to the camps for decades, this community has a unique demonstration of intergenerational trauma and how it affects the individual as well as the community