Awareness of Parental Trauma History and Intergenerational Trauma in Second Generation Trauma Survivors

The relationship between awareness of intergenerational trauma and engagement in preventive health screenings for pre-diabetes, diabetes, and hypertension among second and third-generation Cambodian, Lao, and Vietnamese trauma survivors was explored through survey using Chi-Squared and Fisher Exact tests. The analysis aimed to determine whether trauma awareness influences participation in health screenings. Primary analyses revealed no statistically significant association between trauma awareness and preventive health behaviors. However, secondary analyses highlighted the importance of parental health status, the quality of the parent-child relationship, and generational status in shaping health behaviors. Individuals aware of their parents' health conditions were more likely to engage in screening, regardless of their trauma awareness. Additionally, generational differences were observed, with later generations exhibiting varied screening behaviors based on their trauma awareness. Third-generation individuals showed higher rates of diabetes screening, and hypertension screening was significantly linked to generational status in those not aware of trauma. These findings suggest that familial relationships and generational influences play a more prominent role in preventive health behaviors than intergenerational trauma awareness alone. The study underscores the need for trauma-informed health education and public health interventions that incorporate family health and trauma history and relational dynamics to promote preventive care in at-risk populations.