The provinces of Groningen and Drenthe each provide 38,000 euros for a multi-year practical study on the relationship between trauma and generational poverty. The research aims to help professionals better support families dealing with long-term stress, traumatic experiences, and poverty passed down from generation to generation. The study runs until 2027.
Deputy of the Province of Drenthe Yvonne Turenhout: “This research helps us better understand what trauma means for people living in poverty, and how support can truly make a difference.” Pascal Roemers, deputy of the Province of Groningen, agrees: “Poverty, sometimes passed down from generation to generation, is an unacceptable problem in our province. By better uncovering the role of underlying trauma, we hope to better support our residents.”
Helping Forward
Trauma and poverty are often closely linked. Long-term stress, shame, and a lack of opportunities can have a significant impact on families. Children growing up in poverty have less room to develop and often have a bleak outlook on the future. To truly help families move forward, it is important that caregivers recognize and incorporate traumatic experiences and chronic stress in their guidance. This also increases the chance that other problems, such as poor health, employment, or social participation, can be better addressed.
Experts by Experience
In Drenthe and Groningen, there is a need for knowledge that is directly usable in practice. Many professionals in municipalities and social work indicate that they want to better learn how to deal with the consequences of trauma in the daily lives of families. CMO STAMM combines scientific knowledge, practical experience, and expertise by experience in this research. The insights are translated into concrete tools, with experts by experience contributing ideas about what families really need.
Broad Collaboration
The research is conducted together with the University of Groningen and the Expertise Center for Families with Multiple and Complex Problems. Thanks to this collaboration, new knowledge is created to better and sustainably support families in Northern Netherlands.
