Effects of Intergenerational Trauma on African-Americans and Interventions

Abstract

Trauma is the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s coping ability with such a situation. Trauma causes helplessness and diminishes an individual’s sense of self and the ability to feel the full range of emotions and experiences. Intergenerational trauma is about the effects of trauma suffered or undergone by one generation which impacts future generations' lives and mental health. The problem has been pervasive among African-Americans, with law enforcement worsening the situation through racial bias and profiling that increases police brutality. This article describes the effects of intergenerational trauma as related to African-Americans and suggests trauma-informed interventions in U.S. law enforcement. The primary effects of intergenerational trauma among African-Americans include healthcare disparities, family problems, violence and abuse, and feelings of inferiority. The interventions to consider include offering continuous training lessons to law enforcement officers on police psychology, ensuring strict adherence to ethical conduct and enhancing healthcare and education sectors. Officers dismissed from the force for misconduct should not be rehired to increase public trust and to discourage the repetition of misconduct(s).