43% of the German population experiences trauma during childhood. Scientific studies postulate a connection between the number of specific negative childhood experiences, such as sexual abuse or substance use in the household, and mental as well as physical illnesses later in life. This correlation has become an area of interest in biomedical research in recent years. Recently, epigenetics has been proposed as a possible mechanism to causally explain the inscription of such experiences into molecular structures.
Using a mix of social science methods, we examine how family is conceptualized and positioned in the discourses surrounding the health consequences of negative childhood experiences, and which ideas of familial responsibility for health arise. Our research also analyzes which discriminatory narratives arise from these discourses within this context. These narratives not only affect those who have experienced such traumas but also tend to overburden certain groups with responsibility, such as mothers.
Through a participatory workshop that brings together parents, researchers, and other stakeholders, we aim to intervene in the discourse and critically re-examine and redefine the relationship between family, childhood experiences, and health, while placing emphasis on issues of social justice.