Breaking the Chain: How Transgenerational Parenting Transforms Grief and Legacy into Healing
- Dr. Wesley Sassaman, DNP, MSN-NE, MPH, MBA, FNP-C, CARN-AP
- Jan 12
- 23 min read
By Dr. Wesley Sassaman, DNP, MPH, MSN-NE, MBA, FNP-C, CARN-AP
Introduction
The Global Implications of Parental Neglect and Fear Elevation in Children
Parental neglect casts a long shadow on the development and well-being of children worldwide, with consequences that ripple through families, societies, and future generations. When combined with the elevation of fear—a natural response to uncertainty and lack of caregiving—neglect becomes not just a personal tragedy but a global concern.
Understanding Psychosocial Neglect and Its Impact
Early psychosocial neglect disrupts a child's developmental trajectory in profound ways. Neglect deprives children of consistent care, love, and attention, which are foundational for emotional, cognitive, and social development. When children lack this essential stability, it elevates their stress levels and triggers a heightened state of fear.
For instance, children who grow up feeling unsafe or unloved may experience overactivation of the brain's fear circuitry, such as the amygdala. This can impair their ability to regulate emotions and build healthy relationships, creating lifelong psychological scars.
This issue is tragically widespread. Research indicates that in the United States alone, neglect accounts for about 76% of cases reported to child protective services. However, this is far from just an American problem. Globally, more than 150 million children are orphaned or abandoned. These children often lack the protection and emotional support of a primary caregiver, with many ending up in institutional settings—environments that are notoriously under-resourced and often fail to meet children’s developmental needs (Aran et al., 2023).
The Global Reach of COVID-19 on Childhood Neglect
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the crisis, leaving an additional 10.5 million children orphaned. For these children, the loss of caregivers and their ensuing neglect could lead to lasting psychological harm. The pandemic not only amplified existing issues but also introduced new vulnerabilities. Many children faced isolation, hunger, and fear during lockdowns, compounding the effects of neglect and creating barriers to recovery (Aran et al., 2023).
Life in Institutional Settings
For children without families, institutional care is often the default. While designed to provide safety, these environments frequently lack the emotional warmth, personal attention, and nurturing required for healthy development. Overcrowded institutions struggle to meet individual needs, and children can suffer from attachment disorders, developmental delays, and chronic stress. The absence of consistent, loving relationships fosters a sense of fear and instability, which can further disrupt their ability to form secure attachments later in life.
Fear: Psychological and Developmental Consequences
The combination of neglect and elevated fear does not just leave children emotionally scarred; it rewires their brains. Chronic fear can impede the development of key structures, such as the prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making and self-regulation. These children often struggle with anxiety, depression, and difficulties in social contexts well into adulthood.
Furthermore, neglected children frequently face educational challenges, with delayed cognitive development and decreased academic achievements. The economic implications are equally concerning, as neglected children are at a higher risk of poverty, unemployment, or exploitation, perpetuating cycles of adversity.
Fear in humans has evolved as a complex emotional response with both adaptive and maladaptive consequences. It serves as a crucial survival mechanism, enabling individuals to respond to threats and avoid danger. However, fear can also lead to negative outcomes, such as anxiety disorders and reduced quality of life. Understanding the evolutionary advantages and disadvantages of fear involves examining its role in threat detection, survival, and social dynamics, as well as its potential to cause harm when misapplied or excessive.
Evolutionary Advantages of Fear
Threat Detection and Survival: Fear enhances an individual's ability to detect and respond to threats, increasing chances of survival. The neurophysiological mechanisms underlying fear, such as amygdala activation, are crucial for initiating defensive behaviors in response to perceived threats (Fanselow & Hoffman, 2024). This rapid response system allows humans to avoid predators and other dangers, contributing to evolutionary fitness.
Generalization and Learning: Fear facilitates learning and memory, enabling individuals to generalize from specific threats to similar situations. This generalization helps in predicting danger from situational cues, as seen in studies of threat processing and fear generalization (Pouliot et al., 2024). Such learning mechanisms ensure that fear responses are not limited to the original threat but extend to similar contexts, enhancing survival.
Social and Ecological Adaptations: Fear influences social behaviors and ecological interactions. For instance, fear of predators can lead to changes in behavior and physiology that affect offspring survival and quality, as observed in song sparrows (Zanette et al., 2024). Additionally, fear of humans, the "super predator," significantly impacts wildlife behavior, demonstrating the pervasive influence of fear across species (Zanette et al., 2023).
Evolutionary Disadvantages of Fear
Chronic Stress and Health Impacts: While fear is adaptive in acute situations, chronic fear can lead to stress and adverse health outcomes. Prolonged exposure to fear-inducing environments can result in physiological changes that negatively affect survival and reproduction, as seen in the reduced body condition and survival of offspring in fear-inducing environments (Zanette et al., 2024).
Maladaptive Fear Responses: Fear can become maladaptive when it is disproportionate to the actual threat, leading to phobias and anxiety disorders. For example, entomophobia, or irrational fear of insects, may have evolved as a disease-avoidance mechanism but can contribute to negative attitudes towards insects and impact conservation efforts (Fukano & Soga, 2023). Similarly, fear of non-threatening stimuli, such as spiders, may not always align with actual danger levels, suggesting an evolutionary mismatch (Landová et al., 2023).
Impact on Ecosystems and Social Dynamics: Fear can alter species interactions and ecosystem dynamics. Human-induced landscapes of fear can reshape predator-prey interactions and affect ecological processes (Palmer et al., 2022). Additionally, fear can influence social structures and behaviors, potentially leading to social isolation or conflict.
While fear provides significant evolutionary advantages by enhancing threat detection and survival, it also poses disadvantages when it becomes chronic or misaligned with actual threats. The balance between these aspects is crucial for understanding the role of fear in human evolution and its implications for modern society. Addressing maladaptive fear responses and their impacts on health and ecosystems remains a critical area for research and intervention.
In what ways can chronic fear negatively impact health and reproductive success in humans?
Chronic fear can have profound negative impacts on health and reproductive success in humans, affecting both physiological and psychological domains. The interplay between chronic fear and health is complex, involving various biological systems that can lead to detrimental outcomes. Chronic fear, often manifesting as anxiety or stress, can disrupt normal bodily functions, leading to adverse health effects and impairments in reproductive success. The following sections explore these impacts in detail.
Impact on Male Reproductive Health
Depression, a condition often associated with chronic fear, has been linked to decreased semen quality in men. This includes reductions in sperm concentration, motility, and total sperm count, particularly in those with inadequate sleep (Chen et al., 2024).
Anxiety, while not as strongly correlated as depression, can still negatively affect sperm concentration, indicating that mental health conditions related to fear can impair male fertility (Chen et al., 2024).
Impact on Female Reproductive Health
Chronic stress, a byproduct of sustained fear, can disrupt the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, leading to ovulatory disorders and menstrual irregularities. This disruption is due to hormonal imbalances and oxidative stress, which impair follicular development and ovarian function (Han & Lin, 2024).
Major depressive disorder, often linked with chronic fear, has been associated with female infertility, suggesting that mental health management is crucial for preserving fertility (Mao et al., 2024).
Chronic anxiety and fear can lead to hypofibrinolytic conditions, increasing the risk of reproductive issues such as oligo-anovulation, miscarriage, and fetal growth restriction (Hoirisch-Clapauch, 2024).
Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes
Chronic stress during pregnancy can lead to adverse outcomes, including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. The maladaptive response of the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems under chronic stress conditions can compromise pregnancy and neonatal health (Miodownik & Sheiner, 2024).
Fear and anxiety can also affect the immune response, potentially exacerbating conditions like endometriosis, which can further complicate reproductive health (Lu et al., 2023).
Psychological and Emotional Health
Chronic fear can amplify health anxiety, leading to heightened emotional responses and avoidance behaviors. This can exacerbate stress and anxiety, creating a vicious cycle that further impacts health and reproductive success (Benke et al., 2024).
Infertility-related stress, often accompanied by fear of failure, can lead to significant anxiety and depression, affecting the quality of life and potentially hindering reproductive efforts (Braverman et al., 2023).
While chronic fear has clear negative impacts on health and reproductive success, it is important to consider the role of psychological interventions and lifestyle modifications. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and stress-reduction techniques have shown promise in mitigating these effects, improving both mental health and reproductive outcomes.
Additionally, addressing lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity can help manage the physiological impacts of chronic fear, offering a holistic approach to improving health and reproductive success (Han & Lin, 2024; Hoirisch-Clapauch, 2024).
What Are The Long-term Effects of Maternal Neglect on the Neurobiological Development of a Young Girl and How Does Fear Play a Role
Maternal neglect has profound long-term effects on the neurobiological development of young girls, influencing brain structure, function, and emotional regulation. This neglect can lead to alterations in neural circuits, affecting cognitive and emotional development, and increasing the risk of psychopathology. Fear, as a component of emotional regulation, plays a significant role in these developmental changes, often exacerbating the negative outcomes associated with neglect. The following sections explore these effects in detail.
Neurobiological Alterations
Brain Structure and Function: Maternal neglect is associated with changes in brain structure, such as reduced grey matter volume, particularly in regions associated with cognitive functions (Lyons-Ruth et al., 2023). Functional connectivity and neural activity are also affected, with neglected children showing altered neural responses to reward prediction errors, particularly in the frontal cortices, which are crucial for learning and decision-making (Aloi et al., 2024).
Neural Circuitry and Connectivity: Neglect impacts the development of neural circuits involved in emotional regulation and cognitive processing. Studies have shown decreased activity in brain regions like the inferior parietal lobe and cuneus in individuals with a history of neglect, which are linked to major depressive disorder (Luo et al., 2023). These changes can lead to difficulties in processing emotions and regulating stress responses.
Emotional and Cognitive Development
Attachment and Emotional Regulation: Insecure attachment resulting from maternal neglect can disrupt mother-child interactions, leading to increased maternal helplessness and fear, which in turn affect the child's mental health (Rost et al., 2024). This insecure attachment can result in higher levels of internalizing behaviors, such as anxiety and depression, in children (Aran et al., 2023).
Cognitive and Social Development: Children experiencing neglect often face deficits in cognitive and social development. Research indicates that early psychosocial deprivation can lead to persistent deficits in social, cognitive, and emotional development, with institutionalized children showing significant developmental delays compared to those in foster care (Nelson et al., 2023).
Role of Fear
Fear and Anxiety: Fear plays a critical role in the development of internalizing behaviors in children exposed to neglect. Unpredictable maternal sensory signals, often a result of neglect, are linked to increased fearfulness and anxiety in children (Aran et al., 2023). This heightened fear response can further exacerbate the negative effects of neglect on emotional and cognitive development.
Intergenerational Transmission: Fear and anxiety can also be transmitted intergenerationally. Mothers with a history of neglect may exhibit cortisol hypoactivity, a marker of stress response dysregulation, which can influence their caregiving behavior and increase the risk of neglect in the next generation (Khoury et al., 2023).
While the negative impacts of maternal neglect on neurobiological development are significant, there is evidence suggesting potential resilience in some individuals. For instance, some children with a history of neglect may develop higher brain function in certain regions, indicating a form of resilience to depression (Luo et al., 2023). Additionally, interventions such as high-quality foster care have shown promise in mitigating some of the adverse effects of early neglect, highlighting the importance of supportive environments in promoting recovery and resilience (Nelson et al., 2023).
The Intergenerational Transmission of Fear
The intergenerational transmission of fear plays a significant role in the neurobiological effects of maternal neglect on daughters, influencing both psychological and physiological outcomes. Maternal neglect, a form of child maltreatment, can lead to alterations in brain function and attachment styles, which are then passed down to subsequent generations.
This transmission is facilitated by various mechanisms, including changes in neural processing, attachment security, and stress response systems. The following sections explore these mechanisms in detail.
Neurobiological Alterations
Childhood neglect is associated with changes in neural prediction error signaling, particularly in the medial and lateral frontal cortices. These alterations affect how individuals process novel stimuli and rewards, potentially leading to maladaptive learning and behavior patterns in daughters of neglected mothers (Aloi et al., 2024).
Maternal neglect can lead to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, as evidenced by altered cortisol levels. This dysregulation is linked to increased risk of child maltreatment in the next generation, suggesting a biological pathway for the transmission of neglect effects (Khoury et al., 2023).
Attachment and Psychological Effects
Insecure attachment styles, such as anxious and avoidant attachment, are common in individuals who have experienced maternal neglect. These attachment styles can mediate the transmission of posttraumatic orientation to bodily signals (OBS) from parents to offspring, perpetuating a cycle of fear and maladaptive responses (Talmon & Tsur, 2024).
The quality of mother-offspring relationships is crucial in the intergenerational continuity of child maltreatment. Poor attachment and relationship quality can lead to similar patterns of neglect and emotional maladjustment in daughters, further reinforcing the cycle of fear and neglect (Pigeon et al., 2024).
Intergenerational Transmission Mechanisms
Fear transmission from parent to offspring can occur through modeling, where children learn to fear novel stimuli by observing their parents' fearful reactions. This mechanism is particularly potent in early life and can contribute to the development of anxiety and avoidance behaviors in daughters (Nimphy et al., 2023).
Parental childhood adversity, including neglect, can lead to emotional and behavioral problems in children through family dynamics and individual psychological factors. These intergenerational cascade processes highlight the role of family cohesion and self-control in moderating the effects of parental neglect on offspring (Zhang et al., 2024).
While the intergenerational transmission of fear and neglect has profound implications, it is important to consider the potential for resilience and intervention. Psychological and pharmacological interventions targeting attachment security and stress response systems can mitigate the adverse effects of maternal neglect. Additionally, enhancing family cohesion and addressing parental distress may help break the cycle of intergenerational transmission, offering hope for affected families (Tomoda et al., 2024; Yoon et al., 2023).
Potential Drug Use From Intergenerational Transmission of Fear and Neglect in Young Girls
The intergenerational transmission of fear and neglect can indeed encourage drug use in teen and young adult girls, as evidenced by various studies. This transmission often involves complex interactions between parental behaviors, childhood experiences, and individual psychological responses. The research highlights how early-life stressors, parental substance use, and associated psychological issues can contribute to substance use in young females. Below, key aspects of this topic are explored in detail.
Intergenerational Transmission of Stress and Substance Use\
Parental Influence: Parental drug use disorders (PDUDs) are a significant risk factor for youth substance use and psychological problems. The meta-analysis indicates that PDUDs are associated with greater substance use and psychological issues in youth, suggesting a direct link between parental behaviors and offspring outcomes (Anderson et al., 2023).
Childhood Maltreatment: Exposure to childhood maltreatment, including emotional and sexual abuse, is linked to increased substance use in young adults. This maltreatment often co-occurs with parental substance use disorders, creating a compounded risk for the development of substance use behaviors in offspring (Ross et al., 2024; Rey-March et al., 2024).
Psychological and Biological Mechanisms
Stress and Fear Responses: Early-life stress can impair fear memory processing, which may influence substance use behaviors. Studies show that stress during critical developmental periods can alter fear acquisition and memory, potentially leading to maladaptive coping mechanisms such as substance use (Sanguino-Gómez & Krugers, 2024).
Sex-Dependent Effects: Research indicates that females may experience different psychological and biological responses to stress and parental substance use compared to males. For instance, female offspring of cocaine-exposed sires show enhanced fear memory, which could predispose them to substance use as a coping mechanism (Rich et al., 2023).
Socioeconomic and Environmental Factors
Socioeconomic Status: Adolescents from higher socioeconomic backgrounds with blunted stress responses are more likely to engage in substance use. This suggests that environmental factors, such as socioeconomic status, can modulate the relationship between stress responses and substance use (Rahal et al., 2022).
Cultural and Ethnic Considerations: The prevalence of PTSD and substance use varies across different racial and ethnic groups, with minority groups often experiencing higher rates. This highlights the importance of considering cultural and environmental contexts in understanding substance use behaviors (Davis et al., 2023).
While the intergenerational transmission of fear and neglect can encourage drug use in young females, it is essential to consider the broader context. Factors such as socioeconomic status, cultural background, and individual psychological resilience can influence the extent to which these intergenerational patterns manifest. Additionally, interventions targeting stress responses and providing supportive environments may mitigate these risks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive prevention and treatment strategies.
A Supportive Guide for Transgenerational Parents
Parenting can be challenging, especially if you’re trying to heal from your own past while creating a better future for your children. If you’ve experienced difficulties like neglect, fear, or trauma, it’s natural to worry about passing those experiences to your kids—but the good news is that change is possible. With self-awareness, support, and small everyday steps, you can help break those cycles. This guide offers practical, empowering steps to create the loving, secure relationship you want with your children.
1. Start with Self-Awareness
Understanding yourself is the first step to creating change in your parenting.
Look at Your Own Patterns
Think back to how you were raised. Are there behaviors or feelings showing up in your parenting that connect to your childhood? For example, do you struggle with frustration because of past neglect, or find yourself anxious about being a “perfect” parent? Being aware of these patterns helps you focus on areas to grow.
Pause and Reflect on Reactions
If you find yourself reacting strongly to something your child does, stop and ask yourself, Am I responding to the present situation, or is something from my past being triggered? Taking a moment to breathe and reflect can help you handle situations more calmly.
Try This Exercise: Keep a small journal or use your phone’s notes app to jot down moments when you felt emotional as a parent. Write about the feelings, what happened, and whether it felt connected to something deeper.
2. Reach Out for Support
You don’t have to do this alone. Getting help from professionals or even a parenting group can make a huge difference.
Talk to a Therapist
A counselor can help you explore and process difficult emotions from your past. They can also teach you tools to handle stress and parent more effectively. Therapy isn’t just for fixing problems—it’s also for learning and growing!
Consider Family Sessions
If there’s a lot of tension or misunderstandings in your home, family therapy can help everyone feel heard and teach you skills to communicate better together.
Resource to Explore: Check out BetterHelp for online therapy options or look for local family counseling services.
3. Open Up Communication at Home
Talking honestly and listening with love creates a strong, safe bond between you and your children.
Make Time to Talk
Set aside moments when you can talk as a family—maybe during dinner or before bedtime. Encourage everyone to share their thoughts or feelings, and show them you’re really listening by putting away distractions like phones.
Be Real About Your Feelings
It’s okay to tell your kids when you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed (in an age-appropriate way). For example, saying something like, Mom had a hard day, but taking a break and talking with you helps me feel better, shows them how to express emotions in a healthy way.
Fun Activity to Try: During dinner, play “Highs and Lows.” Each family member shares one great thing and one not-so-great thing about their day. It’s a lighthearted way to get everyone sharing.
4. Heal Through Reparenting Yourself
Sometimes, becoming the parent you wish you’d had means giving yourself the care and kindness you may not have received.
Practice Self-Compassion
When you make a mistake as a parent, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, tell yourself what you’d tell a dear friend: It’s okay. Every parent has tough days—you’re trying your best.
Reconnect with Joy
Spend time doing things that made you happy as a child, like journaling, painting, or playing outside. This helps you connect with feelings of comfort and fun you can bring into your parenting.
Helpful Resource: Read The Inner Child Workbook by Cathryn L. Taylor for ideas on self-healing.
5. Create a Calm, Safe Home
Children thrive in environments where they feel secure and supported.
Establish Simple Routines
Kids feel safe when they know what to expect. Create consistent mealtimes, bedtimes, or family traditions that your kids can count on every day.
Help with Fears
If your child seems scared or anxious, acknowledge their feelings with warmth. Say something like, It’s okay to feel scared—I’m here to keep you safe.
Practical Idea: Set up a cozy “calm corner” in your home with soft pillows, a favorite blanket, or books your kids can use to settle down when they feel upset.
6. Strengthen Emotional Bonds
Building a secure attachment involves small, thoughtful actions every day.
Be Fully Present
When your child wants to talk or play, give them your full attention—even if it’s just for 10 minutes. This shows them they’re important to you.
Make Time for One-on-One Moments
Whether it’s a quick walk, baking together, or a bedtime story, these moments help you and your child feel connected.
Quick Game to Try: Ask your child to share three things they love about themselves. Then, share three things you love about them!
7. Keep Learning and Growing
Parenting is a constant learning process, and it’s okay not to have all the answers right away.
Read and Explore New Ideas
Books like The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson offer helpful strategies for understanding your child’s needs.
Ask for Feedback
Pay attention to how your child responds to changes in your parenting approach, and adjust if needed. Parenting is about adapting—not perfection.
Attend Workshops or Support Groups
Joining other parents can be comforting, as you’ll learn from their experiences while sharing your own.
8. Build Your Child’s Resilience
Help your child develop the confidence and strength to face life’s challenges.
Encourage Problem-Solving
Teach them that mistakes are learning opportunities. For example, say, It’s okay to mess up—we all do. What do you think we could try next time?
Teach Coping Skills
Show them simple stress-relief strategies, like taking three deep breaths or drawing their feelings.
Activity for Younger Kids: Create a “Feelings Chart” with emojis or colors to help them identify and share their emotions each day.
9. Foster Community and Social Support
You don’t need to go through this alone—build a network for yourself and your kids.
Connect with Other Parents
Join local parenting groups or online forums where you can share tips, struggles, and encouragement.
Encourage Friendships for Your Kids
Support their social development with playdates, team sports, or other group activities they enjoy.
Family Activity: Plan regular playdates or park visits with other families to create a sense of togetherness.
A Final Word
I am a transgenerational parent and I had to work on myself in many different ways so as not to impact my son. Healing and breaking cycles takes time, but every small change makes a difference. Be kind to yourself as you learn new ways to parent and grow closer to your kids. Remember, you are not alone on this path—asking for help, reflecting on your experiences, and making even small adjustments can help you create the safe, loving family you’ve always wanted. Together, you and your child can grow in ways that empower a brighter, healthier future.
Conclusion - Understanding Transgenerational Parenting and Breaking the Cycle
Parenting is one of the most rewarding yet difficult journeys an individual can undertake. For many, it involves not only nurturing and guiding the next generation but also navigating the shadows of their own past. The concept of being a Transgenerational Parent—which involves recognizing how unresolved difficulties, such as neglect, fear, or trauma, can unintentionally impact our children—is a vital step in creating healthier family dynamics.
The Risks of Unresolved Cycles
Research indicates that early-life challenges, such as parental neglect or chronic fear, can leave deep psychological and neurological impacts, altering how individuals process emotions, form relationships, and respond to stress. For example, neglect can overactivate the brain’s fear circuitry in children, such as the amygdala, impairing their ability to regulate emotions or trust others. Without intervention, these struggles may shape parenting behaviors, leading to cycles of insecure attachment or emotional instability that are unconsciously passed to the next generation.
Studies also reveal how chronic fear and trauma influence parental behavior. Mothers who have experienced neglect may exhibit cortisol dysregulation—a marker of disrupted stress responses—which, in turn, affects how they interact with their children. Similarly, offspring exposed to unpredictable or fearful environments may develop heightened anxiety or avoidance behaviors. These cascading effects illustrate how past pain, left unaddressed, can quietly perpetuate itself across generations.
Example of the Intergenerational Impact
Consider a parent who grew up in an environment where emotional expression was dismissed or punished. That parent may struggle with sharing emotions with their own children, inadvertently teaching them to suppress feelings, much like they learned to. Over time, this can lead to a family culture of emotional disconnection or difficulty forming close bonds. Yet, with awareness and effort, these cycles can be disrupted, paving the way for healthier connections.
Breaking the Cycle
Breaking the cycle of transgenerational difficulties hinges on three pillars: awareness, intervention, and proactive change. Parents who reflect on their personal histories can begin to spot patterns they wish to change. Intervention, whether through therapy, family counseling, or educational resources, equips parents with strategies to address these patterns. Finally, proactive measures—including consistent communication, creating safe home environments, and fostering resilience in children—help build a foundation for healthier families.
The enclosed Comprehensive Action Plan for Transgenerational Parents is an essential resource rooted in these principles. This guide is designed to support parents in acknowledging and addressing their past, fostering self-awareness, and improving communication within families. Some key aspects of the plan include:
Practical self-awareness tools: Exercises like journaling emotional reactions or understanding personal triggers.
Therapeutic and support options: Encouraging professional support through individual or family therapy.
Fostering secure attachment: Tips such as one-on-one quality time and active listening to strengthen emotional bonds.
Building consistent routines: Ideas like creating calming spaces or “safe corners” to ease children’s fears.
By following this plan, parents have access to relatable, research-backed strategies they can apply in their own lives.
A Hopeful Message
Being a Transgenerational Parent means making a brave decision to face and address your own challenges, not to dwell in the past but to build a better future for your children. Remember, this work is not about perfection but progress. Every small change you make—whether it’s pausing during a moment of frustration or seeking guidance in therapy—is an act of love and growth that will ripple into the next generation. Together, cycles of fear, neglect, and emotional pain can transform into ones of security, connection, and resilience.
You have the courage to change the narrative—your family’s story begins a new chapter with you.
References
Aloi, J., Crum, K. I., Blair, K. S., Zhang, R., Bashford‐Largo, J., Bajaj, S., Hwang, S., Averbeck, B. B., Tottenham, N., Dobbertin, M., & Blair, J. (2024). Childhood neglect is associated with alterations in neural prediction error signaling and the response to novelty. Psychological Medicine, 1-9. Cambridge University Press.
Anderson, A. S., Siciliano, R. E., Pillai, A., Jiang, W., & Compas, B. E. (2023). Parental drug use disorders and youth psychopathology: Meta-analytic review. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 244, Article 109793.
Aran, Ö., Swales, D. A., Bailey, N. A., Korja, R., Holmberg, E., Eskola, E.-L., Nolvi, S., Perasto, L., Nordenswan, E., Karlsson, H., Karlsson, L., Sandman, C. A., Stern, H. S., Baram, T. Z., Glynn, L. M., & Davis, E. P. (2023). Across ages and places: Unpredictability of maternal sensory signals and child internalizing behaviors. Journal of Affective Disorders.
Benke, C., Wallenfels, L.-M., Bleichhardt, G. M., & Melzig, C. A. (2024). Health anxiety amplifies fearful responses to illness-related imagery. Dental Science Reports, 14.
Chen, B., Wang, Y., Liu, C., Sun, J., Zhang, Z., Guan, L., Xiao, K., Zhu, Z., & Luo, J. (2024). Association between mental health and male fertility: Depression, rather than anxiety, is linked to decreased semen quality. Frontiers in Endocrinology.
Braverman, A. M., Davoudian, T., Levin, I. K., Bocage, A., & Wodoslawsky, S. (2023). Depression, anxiety, quality of life, and infertility: A global lens on the last decade of research. Fertility and Sterility.
Davis, J. P., Pedersen, E. R., Tucker, J. S., Prindle, J. J., Dunbar, M. S., Seelam, R., & D'Amico, E. J. (2023). Directional associations between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and cannabis use in young adults: Uncovering variation by sex, race, and ethnicity. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 37(8), 1052-1065.
Fanselow, M. S., & Hoffman, A. N. (2024). Fear, defense, and emotion: A neuroethological understanding of the negative valence research domain criteria. American Psychologist. https://doi.org/[DOI
Fukano, Y., & Soga, M. (2023). Evolutionary psychology of entomophobia and its implications for insect conservation. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 101100-101100.
Han, Y., & Lin, X. (2024). The relationship between psychological stress and ovulatory disorders and its molecular mechanisms: A narrative review. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 45(1).
Hoirisch-Clapauch, S. (2024). The impact of emotional responses on female reproduction: Fibrinolysis in the spotlight. Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis.
Khoury, J. E., Penner, F., & Bosquet Enlow, M. (2023). Relations among mothers’ childhood neglect, maternal cortisol hypoactivity, and child maltreatment in the next generation. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 153, Article 106164.
Landová, E., Štolhoferová, I., Vobrubová, B., Polák, J., Sedláčková, K., Janovcová, M., Rádlová, S., & Frynta, D. (2023). Attentional, emotional, and behavioral response toward spiders, scorpions, crabs, and snakes provides no evidence for generalized fear between spiders and scorpions. Dental Science Reports, 13.
Lu, C., Xu, J., Li, K., Wang, J., Dai, Y., Chen, Y., Chai, R., Xu, C., & Kang, Y. (2023). Chronic stress blocks the endometriosis immune response by metabolic reprogramming. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Luo, Q., Zou, Y., Nie, H.-Y., Wu, H., Du, Y., Chen, J., Li, Y., & Peng, H. (2023). Effects of childhood neglect on regional brain activity and corresponding functional connectivity in major depressive disorder and healthy people: Risk factor or resilience? Journal of Affective Disorders.
Mao, D., Lin, M., & Li, R. (2024). Common mental disorders and risk of female infertility: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 15.
Miodownik, S., & Sheiner, E. (2024). Stress and pregnancy outcomes: A review of the literature. Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis.
Nelson, C. A., Fox, N. A., & Zeanah, C. H. (2023). Romania’s abandoned children: The effects of early profound psychosocial deprivation on the course of human development. Current Directions in Psychological Science.
Nimphy, C. A., Venetikidi, M., Elzinga, B. M., Van der Does, W., & Aktar, E. (2023). Parent to offspring fear transmission via modeling in early life: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 26, 751-772.
Pigeon, S., Brassard, A., & Langevin, R. (2024). Intergenerational continuity of child maltreatment exposure, mother-offspring relationship quality, and adult romantic attachment in emerging adults. Child Abuse & Neglect, 158, Article 107120. Elsevier BV.
Palmer, M. S., Gaynor, K. M., Abraham, J. O., & Pringle, R. M. (2022). The role of humans in dynamic landscapes of fear. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 38(3), 217-218.
Pouliot, J. J., Ward, R. T., Traiser, C., Chiasson, P., Gilbert, F. E., & Keil, A. (2024). Neurophysiological and autonomic dynamics of threat processing during sustained social fear generalization. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 1-16.
Rahal, D., Shirtcliff, E. A., Fuligni, A. J., Kogut, K., Gonzales, N. A., Johnson, M., Eskenazi, B., & Deardorff, J. (2022). Dampened psychobiological responses to stress and substance use in adolescence. Development and Psychopathology, 1-18.
Rey-March, S., Giralt, C., Font‐Mayolas, S., & Calvo, F. (2024). Relationship between childhood stressful events and drug consumption among university students. European Psychiatry, 67(S1), S246.
Rich, M. T., Worobey, S. J., Mankame, S., Pang, Z. P., Swinford-Jackson, S. E., & Pierce, R. C. (2023). Sex-dependent fear memory impairment in cocaine-sired rat offspring. Science Advances, 9.
Ross, A. J., Russotti, J., Atzl, V. M., Toth, S. L., Cicchetti, D., & Handley, E. D. (2024). Patterns of childhood maltreatment and maternal substance use disorder on the development of emerging adult offspring substance use. Developmental Psychology.
Rost, K., Ziegenhain, U., Fegert, J. M., Buchheim, A., & Köhler‐Dauner, F. (2024). Maternal insecure attachment representation as a long-term risk factor for disrupted mother–child interaction and child mental health. BMC Psychology, 12(1).
Sanguino-Gómez, J., & Krugers, H. (2024). Early-life stress impairs acquisition and retrieval of fear memories: Sex-effects, corticosterone modulation, and partial prevention by targeting glucocorticoid receptors at adolescent age. Neurobiology of Stress.
Talmon, A., & Tsur, N. (2024). Intergenerational transmission of posttraumatic orientation to bodily signals following child maltreatment. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. SAGE Publishing.
Tomoda, A., Nishitani, S., Takiguchi, S., Fujisawa, T. X., Sugiyama, T., & Teicher, M. H. (2024). The neurobiological effects of childhood maltreatment on brain structure, function, and attachment. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience.
Yoon, Y. W., Cederbaum, J. A., Duan, L., & Lee, J. O. (2023). Intergenerational continuity of childhood adversity and its underlying mechanisms among teen mothers and their offspring. Child Maltreatment, Article 10775595231200145.
Zanette, L., Allen, M. C., Williams, T. D., Fowler, M. A., Criscuolo, F., Zahn, S., & Clinchy, M. (2024). Fear of predators reduces body and physiological condition affecting offspring survival and the ‘quality’ of the survivors. Functional Ecology.
Zhang, J., Cooke, E., Wei, X., Liu, Y., & Zheng, Y. (2024). Intergenerational cascade processes from parental childhood adversity to child emotional and behavioral problems. Child Abuse & Neglect, 149, Article 106695.
About the Author
Dr. Wesley Sassaman is a medical professional with nearly a decade of experience in addiction and mental health. Working on the front lines of the fentanyl epidemic in Scottsdale, Arizona , Dr. Sassaman is dedicated to empowering families affected by fentanyl addiction by providing them with the knowledge and resources to navigate the difficult road to recovery. With a deep understanding of the biopsychosocial model of addiction, Dr. Sassaman combines expert insights with compassionate guidance, offering hope to those struggling with the devastating effects of street-based fentanyl addiction. Each blog post invites readers into a transformative conversation, bridging the gap between despair and hope while illuminating a path toward healing and resilience.
Comments