Abstract
While the intergenerational effects of Khmer Rouge trauma, particularly in parenting style, have been extensively studied, research on its longer term impacts into the third generation remains limited. Adopting quantitative research methods, this study delved into the intergenerational trauma transmission from grandmothers to their adult daughters, and subsequently to their grandchildren in their care among migrant skipped-generation households in Cambodia. The study included 128 grandmothers, 41 daughters, and 45 grandchildren. The paired subsamples comprised of 41 grandmother-daughter pairs and 39 grandmother-grandchild pairs. Survey interviews were administered to collect data on the trauma experiences and symptoms, psychological distress, and parenting style using standardized instruments. The data were analyzed using mediation analysis, linear regression models, and Pearson correlation. Findings showed the mediating role of role-reversing parenting in the relationship between the grandmothers' trauma symptoms and their daughters' depression; however, such support was not evident in the third generation, suggesting the indirect effect of trauma transmission was more pronounced in the second generation compared to the third. Nevertheless, the direct effect of associations between grandmothers' trauma symptoms and grandchildren's depression was significant. These findings on secondary traumatization linked to grandmothers' Khmer Rouge trauma in the second and skipped-generational effects provide a broader societal implication for the intergenerational trauma among Cambodian families.
Public Policy Relevance Statement
The findings highlight the compounded effects of genocide-related trauma and migration-related stressors within migrant skipped-generation households. This intersection of historical and contemporary stressors emphasizes the need for mental health interventions and policy directives to guide the development of service models addressing both past legacy and current issues. A comprehensive approach that integrates culturally responsive and trauma-informed mental health interventions into social and economic assistance programs would strengthen the overall well-being of trauma-affected grandparents. Such an approach would also ensure psychological safety and secure child-rearing environments for the grandchildren.