The impact of trauma exposure on post-traumatic growth among Iraqi refugees: Examining the moderating roles of social support and hope
Makttoof, Hameed
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Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130073
Description
Title
The impact of trauma exposure on post-traumatic growth among Iraqi refugees: Examining the moderating roles of social support and hope
Author(s)
Makttoof, Hameed
Issue Date
2025-05-15
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Neville, Helen A
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Neville, Helen A
Committee Member(s)
Khuri, Lydia M
Mauseth, Kira
Napolitano, Chris
Department of Study
Educational Psychology
Discipline
Educational Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Keywords: trauma, post-traumatic growth, psychological well-being, Iraqi refugees, hope, social support
Abstract
This study examined the relation between trauma exposure and psychological adjustment among Iraqi refugees in the United States. Drawing from a sample of 93 adult Iraqi refugee participants in the U.S. completed self-report measures assessing trauma exposure, social support, hope, post-traumatic growth, and psychological well-being. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to assess whether perceived social support and hope moderated the relation between trauma and adjustment outcomes. Findings indicated that both social support and hope moderated the association between trauma and post-traumatic growth, but only in the context of low trauma. However, in predicting psychological well-being, only trauma emerged as a significant predictor; neither hope nor social support were significant predictors, and they did not moderate the association between trauma and well-being. These findings suggest that while hope and social support were central to fostering growth following trauma, psychological well-being may be more directly influenced by the severity of trauma exposure. This research contributes to the growing literature on refugee mental health by highlighting the distinct pathways through which trauma influences psychological outcomes. Limitations and future directions of the research are discussed.
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