Enhancing recovery in post-earthquake adolescents: examining the impact of a psychoeducational intervention on traumatic stress symptoms and coping strategies

Abstract

Adolescents exposed to natural disasters are among the most vulnerable groups to the devastating effects of these events, including experiencing mental health issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety disorders. The study aims to evaluate the impact of an early-term psychoeducational intervention (2 months after the disaster) on adolescents who were exposed to the February 6th earthquakes in Turkey regarding symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and coping styles. The study employed AB experimental design with a single-group, pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test evaluation. The sample consisted of 8 individuals aged between 12 and 18, relocated to another city (Istanbul) with their families to a container camp after exposure to the earthquake. Participants underwent an 8-session (one session per week) psychoeducational program developed by researchers composed of psychologists 2 months after the earthquake. To assess the effectiveness of the psychoeducational intervention, the Child and Adolescent Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index, Brief Symptom Inventory, and Coping Styles Scale-Brief Form was employed at three different time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 4-month follow-up). Percentage distribution and the Friedman Test for comparisons were done for the data to be analyzed. Following the psychoeducational intervention, a statistically non-significant decrease in depression symptoms was observed, but the effect of the intervention was maintained over the 4-month follow-up period. While no change in anxiety symptoms was noted after the intervention, a significant decrease was observed in the follow-up. However, no improvement was observed in PTSD symptoms. Participants showed a statistically significant increase in religious coping, whereas a non-significant increase in planning, using emotional social support, and positive reinterpretation coping styles were observed. After large-scale disasters affecting numerous individuals, early psychological interventions should be planned and tailored for specific groups and specific needs instead of including every member of the group would be more time and cost-efficient.