Socio-Political Triggers of Historical Trauma: Implications for Social Work with Aging Populations

Overview: This study explores the impact that the 2016 election had on a group of female Holocaust survivors, offering a unique window into how changing socio-political climates intersect with historical and intergenerational trauma. Best practices for building social work services and curricula inclusive of historical trauma are offered.Proposal text: This paper presents the findings of a secondary analysis of focus group interviews with Holocaust survivors and their social service providers. Data were originally collected as part of a larger program evaluation commissioned by a Jewish community-based organization during the election year of 2016. The survivors were receiving services from the community-based organization and the participants, as well as the providers, were interviewed to explore knowledge gaps regarding the aging experiences of female Holocaust survivors. Holocaust and other genocide survivors are at risk for physical and mental health problems throughout their lives, with gender often shaping trauma experiences and reactions (Kimron, et al, 2019;Martinez, & Kawam, 2018; Muldoon, et al., 2021; Scharf, 2007; Schick et al., 2013). Historical trauma relates to past injustices; therefore, new events that are similar to past traumatic events, stereotypes, and pervasive lack of resources serve as reminders of past traumas and can trigger physical and emotional reactions (Mohatt et al., 2014). This study explores the impact that the 2016 election had on a group of female Holocaust survivors, offering a unique window into how changing political climates intersect with historical and intergenerational trauma.

Non-probability sampling strategies were used to recruit 27 individuals for three focus groups representing: 1) 7 Jewish female child Holocaust survivors who are clients of a Jewish community-based organization; 2) 9 case managers providing services to the women; 3) 11 staff providing specialized services. Qualitative thematic analysis was used on focus group data through a grounded theory research approach.

Focus group data revealed four key themes. First, fear around the political climate in the 2016 election year with regards to anti-immigration policies and the triggering effects of childhood trauma on the clients’ own immigration experiences to the U.S. Second, the importance of family and external support systems for survival, and survival being key. Third, a general mistrust of authority figures and associated systems. Fourth, concerns with food or financial scarcity. Themes from case managers and staff data corresponded to those expressed by the survivors with additional information on challenges experienced helping these women cope with triggered historical trauma and posttraumatic stress symptoms.

An existing body of literature examines the long-term impact of historical trauma on physical and mental health. However, there is little inquiry into how changes in the socio-political environment intersect with the lived experiences of survivors’ historical trauma. This presentation begins a conversation on how social workers can engage with survivors of genocide and other traumatic events during times of social and political change that may trigger painful memories and PTSD symptoms. Best practices for building social work curriculum inclusive of historical trauma are offered. The paper presentation aligns with the conference theme of Leading Critical Conversations: Human Rights are Global Rights.