Abstract
This phenomenological study investigates the processes of Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) among Syrian female refugees residing in Amman, Jordan, with a specific focus on the role played by community-led, informal support networks. While existing literature predominantly focuses on the psychological distress and trauma associated with forced displacement, this research highlights the agency, resilience, and positive psychological transformations experienced by displaced women. Utilizing a qualitative, descriptive phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen Syrian female refugees who have actively participated in or facilitated grassroots community initiatives in Amman. The thematic analysis revealed five core themes: (1) the transition from isolation to communal solidarity, (2) the cognitive restructuring of trauma through collective narrative sharing, (3) the acquisition of new social roles and leadership skills, (4) spiritual and existential realignment, and (5) the structural barriers to sustained growth within urban refugee settings. The findings demonstrate that community-led networks serve as vital catalysts for PTG, offering culturally congruent spaces where women can reconstruct their identities and reclaim agency. This study underscores the need for humanitarian organizations and policymakers to transition from top-down, deficit-based aid models to asset-based approaches that actively support and fund grassroots, refugee-led initiatives.
