Source: www.persecution.org
Date: August13, 2024
A jihadist movement is growing in West Africa.
By Lisa Navarrette, ICC Fellow
Intergenerational trauma resulting from Christian persecution refers to the psychological and emotional wounds passed down through successive generations within Christian communities affected by persecution. This form of trauma can have profound and enduring effects on individuals, families, and entire communities, shaping their identity, worldview, and interactions with society. Intergenerational trauma often begins with historical events where communities face persecution, such as genocide, forced displacement, or systematic discrimination.
These traumatic experiences can imprint deeply on the collective memory of a community, persisting across generations and instilling a “collective victimization” narrative. Individuals who have experienced persecution may carry psychological scars, including feelings of fear, mistrust, and anxiety. Living under constant threat can lead to pervasive distrust of others, including friends, neighbors, and authorities. These emotions can be transmitted to younger generations through familial narratives, behaviors, and coping mechanisms developed in response to persecution.
Trauma experienced by parents or caregivers can affect their ability to nurture and support children effectively. Patterns of stress, hypervigilance, or emotional detachment can inadvertently be transmitted to children, affecting their emotional development and sense of security. Research shows that having a traumatized parent is related to increased psychopathology and dysfunctional attachment patterns in their children.(1)
Intergenerational trauma among Christian persecuted families is evident in several regions around the world, influencing the psychological, social, and cultural well-being of these communities. In the Middle East, Christian communities in Iraq and Syria have faced severe persecution, particularly from extremist groups like the Islamic State group (ISIS). The violence, displacement, and destruction of cultural heritage have deeply traumatized these communities. The children and grandchildren of survivors often experience PTSD, anxiety, and a profound sense of loss over their cultural and religious identity.(2) This ongoing trauma affects younger generations, who struggle with their identity and security amid a backdrop of continued instability and persecution.
In Africa, Nigerian Christian communities endure ongoing persecution from Boko Haram and other militant groups. The resultant violence and instability have led to significant intergenerational trauma, manifesting in mental health issues, disrupted education, and strained community relations.(3) Similarly, Coptic Christians in Egypt, with their long history of persecution, continue to face marginalization and repeated attacks on their religious institutions. This persistent insecurity affects the mental health and social dynamics of younger generations, who grow up in an environment marked by fear and discrimination.(4)
In China, the government’s crackdown on Christianity has created an environment of fear and repression. The destruction of churches and the imprisonment, detainment, torture, and death of fellow believers have long-term effects on the mental health and social cohesion of Christian families. This year, China is forcing schoolchildren to self-identify as Christians at school and publicly renounce their faith.(5) The children’s parents are then detained, tortured, or murdered for being Christians. The psychological effects on the children — who followed the rules at school yet inadvertently got their parents hurt — are yet to be seen. In India, Christians often face persecution from Hindu nationalist groups, with incidents of violence and forced conversions leaving lasting trauma on families.(6)
In Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, the persecution of Christians during the Soviet era left deep scars on families. The suppression of religious practices, imprisonment, and execution of religious leaders created a climate of fear that persists among descendants. This historical trauma continues to influence the identity and mental health of Christian communities in the region.
The ongoing conflict and persecution of Armenian Christians in Azerbaijan have resulted in significant intergenerational trauma. Azerbaijan Christians also face severe persecution from their own families as a shame-honor culture allows retaliation for those who have “shamed” the family by leaving Islam.(7) Families affected by this pass down the psychological effects of violence and displacement, affecting the mental health and cultural identity of younger generations.
While intergenerational trauma can perpetuate cycles of suffering, Christian communities often demonstrate resilience through shared faith, solidarity, and collective efforts to preserve their cultural heritage. Healing from trauma requires acknowledging historical injustices, promoting mental health awareness, and creating supportive environments for affected individuals and families. Recognizing and addressing intergenerational trauma is necessary for breaking cycles of persecution and promoting healing within Christian communities.
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Spiel, S., Szymanski, K., & Bornstein, R. (2023). Intergenerational trauma, dependency, and detachment. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 211(9), 679-685. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0000000000001682
Rofo, S., Gelyana, L., Moramarco, S., Luma, Basa, F. B., Dellagiulia, A., & Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti. (2023). Prevalence and risk factors of posttraumatic stress symptoms among Internally Displaced Christian couples in Erbil, Iraq. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1129031
Open Doors Canada. (2022, January 27). Trauma Care in Nigeria. Open Doors Canada. https://www.opendoorscanada.org/trauma-care-in-nigeria/
Ghobreyal, J. (2018, May 15). The Collective Trauma of Coptic Suffering. Coptic Voice. https://copticvoiceus.com/the-collective-trauma-of-coptic-suffering/
Release International. (2024, February 8). Chinese New Year – state targets Christian families – Release International. Releaseinternational.org. https://releaseinternational.org/chinese_new_year_state_targets_christian_families/ -- [broken link]
Open Doors UK. (2024, April 26). How are Indian Christians persecuted? Www.opendoorsuk.org. https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-news/india-christians-persecution/
Voice of the Martyrs. (2024b). Voice of the Martyrs – Praying for Persecuted Christians in Azerbaijan. The Voice of the Martyrs. https://www.persecution.com/globalprayerguide/azerbaijan/?_source_code=WHPB20C