Transgenerational trauma and childhood adversity among children of war veterans in Zimbabwe

War leaves lasting scars on veterans and their children, who often inherit unresolved trauma across generations. In Zimbabwe, the 1966–1979 Liberation War has had an enduring psychological impact on the lives of children of war veterans (CWVs), yet their experiences remain underexplored. This study examined childhood adversity and trauma transmission among adult CWVs in Hurungwe District, filling a gap in African-focused research on CWVs’ lived experiences. Semi-structured interviews with seven participants aged 19–38 were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: adverse experiences, silence, distress, and transgenerational influence. The findings show that CWVs’ emotional and psychological experiences are shaped by parental trauma within familial, cultural, and structural contexts. Participants also drew on resilience and restorative cultural practices to navigate these challenges. Trauma is transmitted through childhood adversity, silence, and socio-cultural expectations, while resilience mitigates its effects. Findings underscore the need for interventions that combine psychosocial support with culturally grounded resilience strategies. This study contributes context-specific insights into transgenerational trauma among CWVs in Zimbabwe, extending TT scholarship beyond Western frameworks.