Ioanna Xenophontos, a graduate of the International PhD Program in Applied Psychology at the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (FEP-UCP), has explored the "psychological legacy" of the Cyprus conflict. Her research reveals how intergenerational trauma shapes the ethnic identity of younger generations and proposes a new reconciliation framework focused on emotional healing and identity reconstruction.
The doctoral student’s personal connection to the themes of intergenerational trauma, ethnic identity and reconciliation, combined with a strong interest in psychology and social change, led to a doctoral thesis entitled “Intergenerational Trauma and the Transformation of Ethnic Identity: A Qualitative Study on Designing a Reconciliation Programme for Young Cypriots”.
Under the supervision of Professor Mariana Barbosa (FEP-UCP), Ioanna’s research investigated how unresolved trauma from the past continues to influence younger generations who did not directly experience Cyprus’ conflict, and how reconciliation programmes could be beneficial to foster more inclusive ways of relating. Her research revealed that, even without direct experience of the conflict, young Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots continue to carry its psychological and emotional legacy, and that inherited trauma shapes how they understand their ethnic identity and relate to others, making identity reconstruction a crucial component of meaningful and lasting reconciliation.
For Ioanna, the PhD journey was not only an academic endeavour, but also a meaningful exploration of identity, history and division. Being a Greek Cypriot, her personal background played an important role in shaping the motivation behind her doctoral research. “The motivation was both personal and professional,” she explains. “As a Greek Cypriot, I have grown up within the wider context of the Cyprus issue, so questions of identity, history, and division have always been present in one way or another.”
Understanding identity and trauma beyond politics
At the beginning of her PhD, Ioanna identified a significant gap in how the Cyprus issue is commonly addressed. “I felt that many discussions about Cyprus focus on politics, but not enough attention is given to the psychological and emotional dimensions of living in a divided society,” she notes.
Her research was guided by three main questions: how young Cypriots define their ethnic identity today; whether trauma from previous generations continues to be transmitted through family and society; and what practical elements are necessary to design a meaningful reconciliation programme for young people in Cyprus.
Focusing on Cyprus, the study examined how young Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, born after the main violent events, grow up in a divided society and how inherited trauma influences their sense of ethnic identity. By adopting a psychological perspective, the research also investigated how reconciliation programmes could support healthier and more inclusive ways of relating between young people.
The significance of this research in today’s context
The relevance of this research extends far beyond the Cyprus context. In a world where many societies continue to live with the consequences of war, displacement, polarisation and historical injustice, the study offers important insights into how trauma persists over time. As Ioanna Xenophontos emphasises, “trauma does not simply disappear with time; it can be carried through narratives, institutions, and social attitudes.”
By focusing on younger generations, who are increasingly expected to build more peaceful and inclusive futures, the research highlights the importance of understanding intergenerational trauma to overcome division and create peace that lasts through time.
A qualitative approach centered on lived experiences
Methodologically, the study adopted a qualitative design, drawing on semi‑structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis. Participants included young Greek and Turkish Cypriots, facilitators of reconciliation initiatives and researchers with expertise on the Cyprus context.
“This qualitative approach was essential because it allowed participants to speak in depth about their emotions, lived experiences, and personal meanings,” Ioanna explains. “Rather than imposing assumptions, I was able to listen to how participants themselves described their realities.”
The richness of these narratives played a crucial role not only in understanding identity and intergenerational trauma transmission mechanisms, but also in shaping the proposed reconciliation model. Insights from participants highlighted the importance of emotional safety, trust‑building, reflection and identity reconstruction as core components of effective reconciliation initiatives.
What the research reveals about Identity and Reconciliation
Several important findings emerged from Ioanna’s research. First, the insights obtained showed the way young Cypriots experience their ethnic identity. According to the study, identity is often experienced as meaningful and complex, but also conflicted.
The research also confirms that trauma can persist across generations. As Ioanna notes, trauma is transmitted “through family communication, education, and social environments,” continuing to influence younger generations long after the conflict has ended.
In relation to reconciliation, the findings suggest that programmes are most effective when they create safe spaces, encourage genuine human connection and support participants in rethinking inherited narratives. “Rebuilding identity beyond conflict may be one of the most important pathways toward long‑term peace,” she concludes.
Challenges, emotional complexity and unexpected insights
Researching trauma and identity in a post‑conflict society presented challenges. “The most challenging aspect was the sensitivity of the topic,” Ioanna recalls. Discussions around identity, history, and trauma are often emotionally and politically charged, what made recruitment difficult due to participants’ hesitation to engage openly with such issues.
At the same time, the research brought rewarding moments. “The most rewarding part was hearing participants’ stories and reflections,” she refers. The PhD student highlighted that “Many conversations revealed honesty, openness and a genuine desire for something better”.
The aspect that most surprised Ioanna was the emotional and social impact of the conflict on those who had not lived through it directly. Equally surprising, but also hopeful, was the level of empathy, nuance and openness displayed by many participants when reflecting on difficult and painful topics.
From doctoral research to real impact
Beyond its contribution to the Cyprus context, the PhD student hopes her research will help reshape how reconciliation is understood and approached more broadly. She emphasises that reconciliation should not be limited to political agreements, but should also address deeper psychological processes. The research also highlights the importance of interventions that are culturally sensitive and developed in close dialogue with those they aim to support.
Following the successful defence of her PhD, Ioanna’s immediate plans include publishing the three articles developed from her thesis and continuing to expand its practical implications. She is particularly interested in collaborating on projects that translate research findings into real‑world applications, whether through programme development, further research or applied work in psychology and peacebuilding.
Ideally, Ioanna Xenophontos’ would like to see her proposed reconciliation framework be piloted and evaluated in practice, allowing academic research to inform social intervention. As the central message of her thesis makes clear, “peace is not only about ending conflict; it is also about healing what conflict leaves behind.”