Abstract:
South African Indians endured a unique history related to the historical trauma of slavery and
displacement. However, there is still a paucity of trauma related research conducted amongst
individuals of Indian descent. In an attempt to address this gap, the current research focuses
on the lived experiences of intergenerational transmission of trauma on young South African
Indian women. The aim of this study was to capture and illuminate the perceived, rich and
subjective lived experiences of young South African Indian women, with an emphasis on
highlighting how their experiences of intergenerational trauma may influence their identities
today. Historical trauma theory was the primary lens through which the intergenerationally
embedded lived experiences of Indian women were interpreted. A total of five participants
were interviewed using semi-structured interviews to gain rich and detailed information of
their experiential reality. The data gathered was analysed and interpreted using thematic
analysis. This research study recognises the unique challenges faced by South African Indian
women in integrating their different ‘selves’ within the various spaces they occupy. Through
the findings, participants reflected on their lived experiences, emphasising how rigid
mindsets and unique fears were cultivated, through the processes of their parents’ and
grandparents’ collective traumas. Participants further highlighted the role of culture and
parenting styles in their own lives, which can be understood as significant mechanisms
through which certain values and collective traumas were transmitted to them. Furthermore,
they highlighted how these all came to impact on their own identities, elaborating on their
struggles between their ‘individual’ and ‘collective’ selves, associated shame and guilt and
perfectionism. Intergenerational trauma can be understood as having a significant effect,
affecting South African Indian women’s identities and resultant relationship choices, mental
models and career paths chosen.
