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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Post traumatic growth among Iraqi refugees in the United States

Abstract

dc:description

This study investigated factors associated with post-traumatic growth (PTG), including demographic variables and exposure to trauma, among 107 Iraqi refugees in the United States who experienced the 2003 conflict. It was hypothesized that demographic factors (i.e., gender and years in the U.S.) and higher levels of trauma exposure would be associated with greater PTG. Findings from zero-order correlations indicated that years in the U.S. were associated with PTG among Iraqi refugees. Notably, living in the U.S. for a longer period of time was significantly and negatively associated with Appreciation of Life (r = -.24, p < .05) as part of the Post Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Men reported greater levels of PTG than women in this sample. Additionally, findings from canonical correlations analysis suggested that trauma experiences were related to PTG dimensions of skills and talents, physical, emotional, and spiritual crises, indicating that greater trauma in these areas was linked to lower PTG. This research provides insights into the psychological resilience and growth potential of this population, which in turn may inform the development of tailored interventions and support systems that can aid in their healing and recovery. The limitations of the study and future research directions are outlined.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
M.S.
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Educational Psychology
Grantor
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Year dc:date
2024

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Makttoof, Hameed
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Neville, Helen

Subjects

dc:subject × 7

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • Copyright 2024 Hameed Makttoof
Language dc:language
en, eng

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/125647

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
Base URL
www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Makttoof, Hameed. Post traumatic growth among Iraqi refugees in the United States. Thesis thesis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2024. https://hdl.handle.net/2142/125647