Generational Trauma in Health: A Neglected Perspective in Sri Lankan Nursing Practice

Sri Lankan nurses increasingly care for individuals and families affected by civil conflict, economic hardship, migration, domestic violence, and disaster-related loss. This issue warrants urgent consideration because trauma experienced by one generation may continue to influence the physical, emotional, and social well-being of future generations. That is possible even when the original traumatic event is no longer visible.
Generational trauma has been increasingly discussed in psychology and public health. However, its influence across generations remains largely unrecognized in everyday nursing assessment and care. This letter conceptualizes generational trauma, explores its health implications, identifies gaps in nursing knowledge and practice, and proposes strategies for integrating this concept into nursing practice, education, and policy development.