After Every Darkness Is Light: The Experiences of Afghan Women Coping with Violence and Immigration

Afghan women who have immigrated to the United States have often been exposed to violence and other war-related traumas. This qualitative research explores some of these experiences and examines the behaviors that eight Afghan women engaged in to support the mental health of themselves and others, despite experiences of war and displacement. The coping processes identified represent diverse and often culturally-grounded methods of facing hardship. Because the participants endorsed relatively low levels of current mental health difficulties, the study provides information on the adaptive processes of individuals who do not develop complete or persistent PTSD, despite severe trauma. The study also illustrates that multiple pathways to resilience exist, as no two women engaged in all the same coping processes