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Family Over-Involvement Mediates PTSD Symptoms in Holocaust Descendants Following the October 7 Attack: A Prospective
Lee Greenblatt-Kimron1,2,3, Amit Shrira2, Yuval Palgi4
1School of Social Work, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.
Family over-involvement significantly predicts post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in Holocaust descendants, especially during conflict. This mechanism links intergenerational trauma, impacting second-generation survivors more than third-generation survivors.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Intergenerational Studies
Background:
- Family over-involvement, characterized by over-protection and preoccupation with family legacy, is an underexplored mechanism in intergenerational trauma transmission.
- Holocaust descendants may exhibit unique responses to inherited trauma, particularly during contemporary conflicts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the role of family over-involvement in predicting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among Holocaust descendants.
- To investigate the intergenerational transmission of trauma from Holocaust survivors to their descendants during the Israel-Hamas War.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal prospective design with Israeli Jewish descendants (second and third generation) of Holocaust survivors.
- Web-based questionnaires administered before (2022) and during (December 2023, July 2024) the Israel-Hamas War.
- Path analysis and moderated mediation analysis to assess the role of family over-involvement in PTSD symptom development.
Main Results:
- Holocaust descendants exhibited significantly higher levels of family over-involvement compared to controls.
- Family over-involvement mediated the relationship between Holocaust background and PTSD symptoms.
- The compensatory aspect of family over-involvement had a stronger effect on PTSD symptoms in the second generation than the third generation.
Conclusions:
- Family over-involvement is a critical interpersonal mechanism in the intergenerational effects of Holocaust trauma.
- Clinicians should consider family over-involvement in multi-generational interventions for Holocaust families facing adversity.
- Understanding this mechanism is vital for addressing inherited trauma and promoting resilience in descendant populations.
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