Journal of Pedagogical Research (Apr 2018)

Optimism in trauma and growth: a path analysis of former war-related displaced persons

  • Hannah Emma Acquaye,
  • Michelle D. Mitchell,
  • Yvette Saliba,
  • Seungbin Oh,
  • Nevin Heard

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 1
pp. 16 – 29

Abstract

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The study evaluated the contribution of war, trauma, and optimism on growth in adult Liberian former displaced persons traumatized by war-related experiences (N = 444). Hypotheses based on existing literature grounded the path model assessing the relationship among war-related events, trauma, optimism and post-traumatic growth. There were statistically significant correlations among all variables, except between war-related events and optimism [χ2(1) = 0.90; p > .05; CFI = 1.00; GFI = .99; SRMR = 0.02; RMSEA = 0.00]. Clinicians are encouraged to identify resources that traumatized populations use in coping, and incorporate them within the therapeutic environment.