Navigating Trauma and Post-Migration Difficulties: Examining the Gendered Dimension of Individual and Collective Trauma Among Afghan Refugees

Abstract

Refugee populations experience profound individual and collective trauma stemming from conflict, forced displacement, and cultural disintegration, with significant implications for their mental health and post-migration adjustment. While the effects of individual trauma in the resettlement context are well documented, the lingering effects of collective trauma and its intersection with gender remain underexplored. Drawing on cross-sectional community survey data from a larger mixed-methods study grounded in a community-based participatory research approach, this study examined how gender shapes the relationship between individual trauma, collective trauma, and post-migration challenges among resettled Afghan refugees in a Midwestern U.S. city. The findings aim to inform the development of culturally responsive, gender-sensitive interventions tailored to the unique needs of this community. Specifically, our study examined how gender moderates the relationship between individual trauma, collective trauma, and post-migration difficulties among 173 Afghan refugees in a Midwestern U.S. city. Findings reveal that Afghan women experience significantly higher levels of collective trauma than men, and gender moderates the association between collective trauma and post-migration difficulties, with women exhibiting a stronger correlation. These results highlight the need for gender-sensitive, culturally responsive interventions that address the unique challenges Afghan refugee women face, paving the way for collective healing and inclusive support strategies in refugee resettlement efforts.