<p>Intergenerational trauma is strongly associated with long-term adverse physical and mental health outcomes across the lifespan. Concurrently, the number of grandparents serving as primary caregivers to their grandchildren has risen significantly, often within the context of familial trauma, substance use, and child welfare involvement. This pilot study explored the feasibility and perceived utility of three experiential educational tools—the Ecological Systems Reflection Tool, the Genogram, and the GenoCard—in supporting grandparents’ understanding of intergenerational trauma and promoting positive caregiving strategies. Twenty grandparents raising grandchildren with behavioral challenges participated in a series of educational sessions grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory of Human Development. Participants created personalized Genograms to map familial patterns across generations and GenoCards to identify and reinforce trauma-informed strategies. Post-session survey data indicated high acceptability: 75% of participants reported feeling “very comfortable” with the content, and 100% reported they planned to use the strategies with their grandchildren. The GenoCard was rated as “very useful” by 75% of participants as a practical reminder to foster positive interactions. Findings suggest that Genograms and GenoCards are accessible, empowering tools that may enhance caregiver insight and resilience. This study contributes to the growing literature on trauma-informed interventions for grandparent-headed families and highlights the potential of visual and cognitive aids in breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma.</p>

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Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Strategies for Overcoming Intergenerational Trauma

  • Francie Murry,
  • Hesham Abda

摘要

Intergenerational trauma is strongly associated with long-term adverse physical and mental health outcomes across the lifespan. Concurrently, the number of grandparents serving as primary caregivers to their grandchildren has risen significantly, often within the context of familial trauma, substance use, and child welfare involvement. This pilot study explored the feasibility and perceived utility of three experiential educational tools—the Ecological Systems Reflection Tool, the Genogram, and the GenoCard—in supporting grandparents’ understanding of intergenerational trauma and promoting positive caregiving strategies. Twenty grandparents raising grandchildren with behavioral challenges participated in a series of educational sessions grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory of Human Development. Participants created personalized Genograms to map familial patterns across generations and GenoCards to identify and reinforce trauma-informed strategies. Post-session survey data indicated high acceptability: 75% of participants reported feeling “very comfortable” with the content, and 100% reported they planned to use the strategies with their grandchildren. The GenoCard was rated as “very useful” by 75% of participants as a practical reminder to foster positive interactions. Findings suggest that Genograms and GenoCards are accessible, empowering tools that may enhance caregiver insight and resilience. This study contributes to the growing literature on trauma-informed interventions for grandparent-headed families and highlights the potential of visual and cognitive aids in breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma.