Lessons Three Decades Apart?: Intergenerational Trauma among Bosnian Americans and the (Likely) Legacies of War for Ukrainian Refugees

The 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina left more than half of its 4.3 million inhabitants displaced from their homes. Of these, approximately 300,000 to 350,000 individuals resettled in the US between 1993 and 2006, populating metropolitan areas such as St. Louis, Missouri, now home to the largest Bosnian diaspora in the world. Three decades after the beginning of the violent conflict in Bosnia, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, 6,8 million Ukrainian refugees have been recorded globally, and more than 270,000 of them have sought safe refuge in the US only (UNHCR, 16 January 2025).

With regards to crisis migration, the consequences can be long lasting considering that the refugee experience is marked by a myriad of political, social, cultural and physiological challenges, many of which begin before migration and accumulate as individuals relocate and resettle. Three decades after the end of war, the tragic occurrences in Bosnia continue to serve as a poignant reminder of the years of struggles for both the first and post-war second generations. Increasingly, a growing body of research has evidenced that massive trauma and PTSD from violent conflict passed down to progeny is cumulative. St. Louis Bosnians offer a particularly compelling case example to illustrate manifestations of intergenerational trauma and its long-term impact on well-being and identity construction. Based on these considerations, the following questions are warranted: By identifying key themes through the study of transmission of trauma among Bosnian Americans, which patterns and findings can be especially relevant for the current Ukrainian refugee context? How can the study of generational transmission of trauma contribute to a more integrated understanding of refugee experience and be essential in addressing the challenges facing Ukrainian refugees post-war?

Laura Kromják, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor in the Department of Global and Development Studies, Institute of Political and International Studies, ELTE Faculty of Social Sciences in Budapest, Hungary. She teaches migration, international development and European Union related subjects, and her regional focus is the Western Balkans. Her interdisciplinary research is community-focused, with an emphasis on trauma research, memory politics and reconciliation in divided societies. Her publications include the co-edited books Remembrance and Forgiveness: Global and Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Genocide and Mass Violence (Routledge, 2020) and Intergenerational Trauma in Refugee Communities (Routledge, 2024). She has held fellowships at the Saint Louis University, U.S.A. and at the University of Bayreuth, Germany. Alongside her scholarly pursuits, she has served as a European Representative to the Center for Bosnian Studies at the Fontbonne University, U.S.A.

Alla Lisovska, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations and European Studies, Institute of Political and International Studies, ELTE Faculty of Social Sciences in Budapest, Hungary. She is also Associate Professor in the Faculty of Preventive Activities, State University of Internal Affairs in Odesa, Ukraine. She teaches migration concerning refugees and displaced persons, international conflicts and diplomacy related subjects, and her regional focus is the Post-Soviet Space. Her interdisciplinary research is connected with international conflict analyzes, mediation and resolution. Alongside her academic pursuits, she has four years of practical experience on leadership positions in the sphere of International Relations in Odesa City Council, Ukraine.