Multi-Level Support and Sense of Belonging in Afghan Refugee Resettlement: Examining the Moderating Impact of Collective Trauma Symptoms

Background
Forced migration disrupts lives, and for refugees, the journey does not end upon arrival in resettlement spaces; it is a continuous process rife with challenges. Post-migration, the ripple effects of profound historical trauma experienced collectively linger, impacting generations and complicating integration into new communities. Navigating successful resettlement effectively warrants a nuanced approach that acknowledges both post-migration hurdles and the enduring scars of collective trauma. Central to this process is fostering a sense of belonging, a cornerstone of refugee integration. Once resettled, refugee support systems span various levels, including addressing immediate needs like housing and healthcare while offering vital psychosocial services, language and job training, and legal guidance. Yet, while these efforts are substantial, gaps exist in understanding how they directly influence refugees' sense of belonging, a critical factor for successful integration. Focusing on resettled Afghan refugees in a Midwestern U.S. city, our study aimed to 1) understand the relationship between different types of support and a sense of belonging and (2) explore how collective trauma symptoms shape the dynamic interaction between these multiple levels of support and sense of belonging pathways.

Methods
Our study is part of a larger transformative multi-level mixed methods research project grounded in a community-based participatory research approach. We conducted a cross-sectional community survey in Dari, Pashto, and English from 173 Afghan refugees. The dependent variable was a sense of belonging, and the independent variable was multi-level support, which included eight distinct levels of support: government, resettlement agencies or non-profits, Afghan community members, non-Afghan community members, legal services, health services, language services, and support for children’s education. Collective trauma-associated symptoms and individual trauma symptoms were tested as moderators. Covariates included age, gender, and arrival wave. Using PROCESS macro, we analyzed the moderating effects of collective trauma-associated symptoms (W) and individual trauma symptoms (Z) on the relationship between multi-level support (X) and sense of belonging (Y). We also conducted eight separate moderation analyses across different supports.

Results
The results showed a significant moderating effect of collective trauma-associated symptoms on the relationship between multi-level support and sense of belonging (B=.02, p<.01). The decomposition of the significant interaction effect showed that multi-level support was significantly associated with an increased sense of belonging when Afghan refugees' collective trauma symptoms were medium (B=.32, p<.001) or high (B=.60, p<.001), but not when their collective trauma symptoms were lower (B=.07, p>.05). Support from government, resettlement agency, Afghan community, non-Afghan community, legal service, and for children's education showed significant effects on the sense of belonging when levels of collective trauma-associated symptoms were either medium or high.

Conclusion
Results underscore the crucial role of multi-level support structures in nurturing belonging among Afghan refugees. Effective collaboration among governmental bodies, resettlement agencies, community organizations, legal services, and educational entities is vital for delivering comprehensive assistance. Early intervention and preventative measures should be prioritized to address collective trauma-related challenges that impede belonging. Implications for policy and resource allocation to facilitate refugee integration, emphasizing fostering community engagement, promoting social inclusivity, and ensuring access to essential services are suggested.