Psychological Effects of Internment

One of the darker aspects of America's involvement in World War II was the forcible internment of American citizens of Japanese ancestry. The move was authorized by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and resulted in the relocation of Japanese-Americans in the Western states to internment camps for the duration of the war. The trauma of the experience had lasting psychological impact.

Feelings of Hopelessness

• Many victims of internment reported a feeling of hopelessness arising from their relocation to the camps. In Japanese, terms such as shiktttaganai, which means "cannot be helped," were used to describe the experience. Such hopelessness was experienced during the period of internment as well as after. Associated feelings of low-self esteem and a lack of motivation also emerged. The trauma of being forcibly relocated was such that, in many individuals, it endured long after the actual experience ended.

Impact on Children

• Studies have established a cross-generational impact on children of internment victims. The psychological trauma experienced by their parents was actually shown to transfer to the children, who "inherited" the effects. The "Sansei," as they are called, report feeling some of the pain their parents felt directly as well as feeling less secure about their rights and position in the United States.

Self-Identity

• Internment had a damaging effect on Japanese self-identity. Some camps sponsored "Americanization" programs of re-education that downplayed their Japanese heritage. Internment produced conflicting attitudes about ethnic self-identity and even shame, while making Japanese-Americans who experienced internment less secure about practicing their own culture.

Mistrust of Authority

• Internment represented a grave overreach of authority, a fact later acknowledged by the U.S. government. Consequently, many victims of internment were left with a sustained or permanent mistrust of governmental authority. The deep-seated feeling of having been wronged damaged their faith in authority figures to protect civil liberties.