Generational Trauma
Name one mental health issue that can result from generational trauma.
What is anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.?
What do children in chaotic families often create to survive emotionally?
What are unspoken roles (like hero, scapegoat, etc.)?
What role is often seen as the “golden child” who must never fail?
What is The Hero?
Name one key trait of the Hero role.
What is being an overachiever or perfectionist?
In what ways might survival roles from childhood show up in your communication style or conflict responses today even if you're not aware of it?
What is people-pleasing, shutting down, needing to be in control, or avoiding emotions, etc.?
Researchers first noticed the effects of generational trauma by studying the families of survivors of what major historical event?
What is the Holocaust?
Why are these roles considered survival strategies?
What is they help maintain emotional stability in the family?
Which role absorbs blame and often carries the family’s unspoken pain?
What is the scapegoat?
What emotional struggle is common for the Scapegoat?
What is feeling misunderstood or ashamed?
Why do people often find themselves replaying family roles in adult relationships, even when those roles no longer serve them?
What is because these roles are deeply wired as coping strategies and can feel familiar, safe, or necessary until we gain awareness and make intentional changes.
If a parent has unresolved trauma, how can that impact the child they are raising?
What is they can unconsciously pass down trauma-related behaviors or emotional patterns to their children?
What makes these roles limiting in adulthood?
What is we unconsciously replay them in relationships, work, and identity?
Which role brings comic relief but hides anxiety or sadness underneath?
What is the Mascot?
What does the Mascot avoid by using humor or chaos?
What is conflict or vulnerable emotions?
Why might someone struggle with safe attachment as an adult?
What is because of inherited relational trauma or neglect?
DOUBLE JEOPRADY!
What are some beliefs, behaviors, or emotional responses you recognize in yourself that may be linked to generational patterns?
What is the first step in shifting out of a survival role?
What is recognizing it with compassion?
What role often becomes emotionally or physically invisible to avoid stress?
What is the lost child?
Why might the Lost Child struggle with identity?
What is because they withdraw and go unseen?
How might childhood family roles influence someone’s ability to experience joy, rest, or play as an adult?
What is these roles often prioritize survival, performance, or caretaking over authentic enjoyment. As adults, people may feel guilt, restlessness, or discomfort when slowing down or having fun, because those behaviors weren’t modeled or permitted in their early environment? (any variations may apply).
What are some of the common physical health impacts of generational trauma?
What is increasing the risk of long-term health issues such as heart disease, autoimmune conditions, and diabetes?
How does understanding the role you took on as a child offer insight into unmet emotional needs or messages you internalized about yourself?
What is it helps reveal the coping strategies you developed and the beliefs you formed about your worth, safety, or role in relationships—many of which may still influence your behavior today? (any variation works).
Who takes on adult responsibilities early and becomes a fixer or emotional regulator?
What is the parentified child?
What does the Caretaker enable by always rescuing others?
What is dysfunction or codependency?
DOUBLE JEOPRADY!
How have your family roles or generational patterns shown up in your adult relationships, choices, or self-talk?