MULTIGENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVES AN COPING WITH THE HOLOCAUST EXPERIENCE - AN ATTACHMENT PERSPECTIVE FOR UNDERSTANDING THE DEVELOPMENTAL SEQUELAE OF TRAUMA ACROSS GENERATIONS

In this paper, we advance a new approach to the intergenerational tran smission of Holocaust experiences, by focusing on attachment theory. T he approach is used as a framework for interpretation of the results o f three studies on Holocaust survivors and their offspring, from diffe rent countries (The Netherlands, Canada, and Israel), and based on dif ferent conceptual approaches and methods of data collection (quantitat ive as well as qualitative). The literature is divided with regard to the extent and depth of long-term effects of the Holocaust. Attachment theory allows the integration of the phenomena of attachment, separat ion, and loss, which appear to be core concepts in the three studies p resented here. The notion of insecure-ambivalent attachment sheds some light on the observed preoccupation with issues of attachment and sep aration in the second generation. Furthermore, the theme of ''the cons piracy of silence'' is discussed in the context of attachment disorgan isation. Attachment theory transcends the traditional boundaries betwe en clinical and nonclinical interpretations, in stressing the continuo us and cumulative nature of favourable and unfavourable child-rearing circumstances. In this context, insecure attachment should be regarded as coping with suboptimal childrearing environments.