What is "transgenerational" abuse?

Transgenerational abuse refers to a specific pattern where the cycle of abuse is repeated through generations within a family. This answer captures the dynamic where a parent who has experienced abuse in their own upbringing may go on to inflict similar abuses on their own children. This concept illustrates how trauma and abusive behaviors can be passed down, often unconsciously, as individuals replicate what they have learned in their formative years.

While it may seem that abuse could be discussed in terms of being skipped across generations or involving different families, transgenerational abuse specifically focuses on this direct lineage and the emotional or psychological impact it has within a single family. In this context, it becomes clear that the answer accurately defines the phenomenon of transgenerational abuse.