Learning from Older adults’ Trauma Exposure and Resilience: Children’s Perspectives from Five Majority World Countries

There is limited evidence on how intergenerational trauma and resilience are perceived by children, especially in Majority World Countries (MWC). We established such perspectives among 73 children and youth in Brazil, Kenya, South Africa, Pakistan and Turkey. Children interviewed older adults, kept diary fieldnotes, and shared learning in focus groups. Data were integrated through a thematic codebook. Four themes reflected deprivation of safety needs and family challenges, especially for girls, which shaped older adults’ resilience. Children related accounts to their experiences, to generate intergenerational learning. Implications of the findings are considered in the context of intercultural shared trauma and resilience.

Contributions to the intergenerational field

Children can draw strength from intergenerational narratives to build their resilience in the face of future adversity.

The emotional impact of intergenerational narratives can have more impact on children than conveying information or advice.

A multi-method approach can be adapted for different age groups to elicit intergenerational perspectives.

Children can make an important contribution as co-researchers in intergenerational research.