The impact of trauma exposure on post-traumatic growth among Iraqi refugees: Examining the moderating roles of social support and hope

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Makttoof, Hameed

Contributors dc:contributor

• Neville, Helen A.
• Neville, Helen A
• Khuri, Lydia M
• Mauseth, Kira
• Napolitano, Chris

• Trauma
• Post-traumatic Growth
• Psychological Well-being
• Iraqi Refugees
• Hope
• Social Support

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Hameed Makttoof

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130073

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F130073