“… yes, it's difficult, because we have to satisfy her heart” – Exploring Transgenerational Effects of Collective Persecution and Genocide in Kurdistan‐Iraq

Abstract

AbstractAlmost every child in Kurdistan‐Iraq is currently growing up as the son or daughter of survivors of collective persecution and genocidal activity carried out during Saddam Hussein's regime. The aim of this study is to communicate first impressions of the second generation's situation and to examine possible effects of transgenerational transmission of unprocessed trauma. Based on fieldwork and interviews with parents who experienced torture and chemical attacks and their adolescent children, strong indications of unprocessed traumatizations were found on the parents' side. They are irritable and show dysfunctional parenting behavior in the form of physical abuse. Indications for boundary blurring and parentification as well as psychological burden – including problems with studying and dysphoric mood – were found among the children. Politicians and professionals in Kurdistan‐Iraq need to be aware of possible transmission of parents' traumatic experiences to their children and should provide adequate services.