title: Family approach with grandchildren of Holocaust survivors.
abstract: Although the transgenerational transmission of Holocaust trauma is now well documented, this subject remains a source of considerable controversy. Moreover, the literature regarding the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors (GHSs, the third generation) is much sparser. We present here several clinical observations, that we made during therapy sessions with certain families of Holocaust survivors (HSs). These families consulted with us because of the symptoms presented by the GHSs as adolescents. These families were characterized by some specific patterns in their relationships that led us to consider that the symptoms of the third generation might be a consequence of the transgenerational transmission of Holocaust trauma. We also describe the clinical strategy we developed to assist these families of HSs. This strategy consisted of an attempt to reinforce the relationships between GHSs and their grandparents, the Holocaust survivors.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Brugmann, 4, Pl. Van Gehuchten, 1020 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fossion
authors.forename: Mari-Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rejas
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Servais
authors.forename: Isy
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pelc
authors.forename: Siegi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirsch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D017767:Holocaust / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*