Lebanese civil war intergenerational trauma: Modes of transmission and impacts on second-generation descendants

Despite the growing research on intergenerational trauma, empirical studies on its transmission modes and impacts on second-generation descendants remain largely focused on events such as the Holocaust, genocide, the colonization of Indigenous peoples, and war invasions, while studies on civil wars are scarce. The main objective of this study is to investigate the modes of transmission of the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) to second-generation descendants born after its end (i.e., post-1991) and to examine the impact of this trauma on these descendants.

The study utilized in-depth interviews with 14 second-generation descendants and 14 key informants, including two psychologists, two social workers, two politicians, two researchers, two journalists, and four activists. Additionally, four focus group discussions were conducted with 25 parents who survived the Lebanese Civil War. Thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework, was employed to systematically identify and refine themes, ensuring a comprehensive interpretation of findings.

Thematic analysis identified two themes: "From Generation to Generation: The Passing of a Nation's Scars," highlighting the war's continuity and the transmission of its legacy through parents, community members, media, and war remnants, and "Carrying the Burden of an Unlived War," detailing its impact on the psychological well-being, social identity, political identity, and educational and career aspirations of second-generation descendants.

The multidimensional impacts of intergenerational trauma highlight the need for targeted interventions to help descendants process inherited trauma and promote social healing and reconciliation through community-driven initiatives. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).