THE PREVALENCE OF TRANS-GENERATIONAL TRAUMA AMONG ERITREAN WAR SURVIVORS LIVING IN NAIROBI, KENYA

Abstract

This study examines the prevalence of Trans-generational Trauma (TGT) among Eritrean war survivors residing in Nairobi County, Kenya. Guided by the Multi-generational Transmission Process Theory and Social Learning Theory, the research investigates the extent to which trauma is passed down to subsequent generations. A convergent parallel mixed-method design was employed, targeting 2,633 Eritrean adults aged 18 years and above. Using simple random sampling, 347 participants were selected. Data were collected through the Harvard Inter-generational Trauma Test Questionnaire (HITT-Q) and two focus group discussions with 8 participants each. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, while thematic analysis was applied to qualitative responses. Results indicated a high prevalence of TGT, with an overall mean score of 3.84. Qualitative findings revealed trauma transmission through storytelling, modeled behaviors, and emotional patterns within families. Two null hypotheses—predicting no significant relationship between TGT and gender or education—were rejected as significant correlations were found between TGT and gender (r = -0.186, p < .001) and between TGT and education (r = -0.226, p < .001). These findings confirm the persistence of TGT among Eritrean war survivors in Kenya and underscore the need for culturally sensitive, gender-responsive, and education-based psychological interventions.