Multigenerational Occurrence of Survivor Syndrome Symptoms in Families of Holocaust Survivors

The purpose of this study was to determine possible transmission of psychopathology from Jewish holocaust survivors to their children and grandchildren. The Mini-Mult, Death Anxiety Scale, Louisville Behavior Checklist, and School Behavior Checklist were employed. The adult children of holocaust survivors obtained significantly higher scores on self-report measures of psychopathology than control Jewish participants. The grandchildren received significantly higher psychopathology ratings from their patients and teachers. Multigenerational transmission was inferred from the findings.