**Abstract** **Introduction**. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological disorder in the DSM-5-TR that is characterized by a set of impairments and symptoms following a traumatic experience. These may include intrusion symptoms or patterns of avoidance, including in children (APA, 2022). Among adults, post-traumatic symptoms have been associated with feelings of hopelessness (Jakupcak et al., 2011). However, youth possess an extra capacity for resilience and growth, even after trauma. Positive caregiver-child relationships and family cohesion and functioning have been shown to protect against outcomes of trauma (Daniels & Bryan, 2021; Murphy et al., 2021; Schultz et al., 2013). Here we examine the effect of family cohesion on the relationship between post-traumatic symptoms and feelings of hopelessness. We hypothesize that more family cohesion will be a protective factor against feelings of hopelessness for youth who have increased post-traumatic symptoms. **Methods**. Our sample included N=435 caregiver-youth pairs from an academic-community mental health blended sample. Youth were M= 13.3 (SD= 2.13) years old, with 63% being Black, 30% White, and 52.2% male. From three different measures, we isolated the variables of family pathology (fadtotalpomp), post-traumatic symptoms (CPSStot), and feelings of hopelessness (helplec). We conducted a multi-regression with CPSStot as our continuous predictor and fadtotalpomp as our continuous moderator and hopelec as our outcome variable. We conducted interaction analyses, including probing interaction, interaction plots and linearity check, simple slopes, and Johnson-Neyman intervals. **Results**. A moderation analysis using multiple regression was conducted to test the relationship between the three variables. Through analysis of multiple regression, neither the total level of post-traumatic symptoms (B = .005, SE = .009, p = .53) nor family function (B = -.03, SE = .45, p = .95) predicted the degree of hopelessness individually. There was evidence, however, that family function significantly modifies the relationship between the total level of post-traumatic symptoms and the degree of hopelessness (B = .05, SE = .02, p = .02). The overall multi-linear regression model was significant R2 = .12, F(3,430) = 18.72, p = 1.98e-11. Johnson-Neyman analysis revealed that the CPSStot score has no effect on the youth’s feelings of hopelessness except when the overall family functioning score is higher than .13. **Conclusion**. Because the interaction between total post-traumatic symptoms and total family function is significant, it can be suggested that the relationship of total post-traumatic symptoms on hopelessness varies by levels of family function. This research lends itself to practical use in interventions for PTSD as well as the prevention of post-traumatic symptoms. Additionally, research has shown that a decrease in hopelessness can also predict changes in overall PTSD symptoms, suggesting further purpose for preventing feelings of hopelessness after trauma through family support (Gallagher & Resick, 2012). Future research should look at the effects of family-based interventions for the improvement of overall post-traumatic symptoms and an improved life outlook.