Rethinking "transfer" in the transgenerational transmission of trauma: A qualitative study of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence.

This article examines the bidirectional transfer of trauma, social suffering, and healing within the parent–child dyad among survivors of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence in India, situating these processes within the prevailing structural and cultural context. Using a constructivist grounded theory analysis of interview narratives from female Sikh survivors and their children, the study identifies parents' ongoing trauma reactions and social suffering—including PTSD symptoms, denial of dignity, and societal apathy—and how these affect their relationships with their children. The findings highlight that social suffering is transferred bidirectionally: children feel inundated by inadequate resources, while parents experience remorse over their limited capacity to provide care. Although clear evidence of parent-to-child transfer of healing was not found, children's positive growth contributed to parental healing, often supported by cultural symbols of resilience rooted in Sikh identity. The study underscores the importance of addressing culturally shaped roles and structural injustices in understanding transgenerational trauma and its implications for mental health interventions.