Fed: Relatives of Holocaust survivors more depressed

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-2007
Fed: Relatives of Holocaust survivors more depressed

By Tamara McLean, Medical Writer

SYDNEY, Aug 20 AAP - Descendants of Holocaust survivors have higher than average rates
of depression, anxiety and trust problems three generations on, Australian research shows.

A new study from the Queensland University of Technology has highlighted the profound
influence the Holocaust had both on its direct survivors and their relatives more than
60 year after the World World II atrocity.

Through extensive interviews, PhD student Janine Beck, herself a grand-daughter of
a survivor, found clear flow on of traumatic experience to later generations.

The children and grandchildren of survivors experienced depression and anxiety at a
higher rate than the general population, Ms Beck said.

They also had more difficulty trusting others, which leads to difficulties in relationships.

The researcher said the traumatic after-effects of the Holocaust flowed to subsequent
generations through the way survivors interacted with their children.

"Survivors were either over-protective or clingy because they were fearful that something
would happen to their children or they were dismissive and pushed their children away
in an attempt to prevent any future hurt," Ms Beck said.

"These parenting patterns are highly likely to be repeated, so the cycle of trauma
transmission continues."

The study showed that the most affected survivors - those who spent time in concentration
camps or were the sole survivor in their family - had children who were the most affected.

"In addition, survivors from Hungary and Eastern European countries appear to have
suffered from higher symptom levels than those from Western European countries," Ms Beck
said.

She concluded that three factors - the loss of family, type of Holocaust experience
and country of origin - were the best predictors of the psychological health of the survivor
and the generations to follow.

The research has implications for many war-torn countries around the world such as
Iraq where large groups of civilians were being traumatised, Ms Beck said.

"Undoubtedly, survivors and their descendants have been unable to reach their full
potential in life," the researcher said.

"Civilians and their descendants traumatised because of more recent conflicts such
as in Iraq, Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Darfur are likely to be affected in similar ways."

AAP tam/maur/jlw/tam/cp

KEYWORD: HOLOCAUST

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