Shattered ground, resilient souls: examining coping strategies, social support, and earthquake exposure’s effects on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among adolescent and young adults survivors of the 2023 earthquake in Türkiye

Abstract

Given the profound impact of natural disasters on mental health, particularly in vulnerable groups such as adolescent and young adult, understanding their psychological results is crucial for providing necessary support and designing effective interventions. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between earthquake exposure, posttraumatic stress symptoms, coping mechanisms, and social support in adolescents and young adults who survived the 2023 earthquake in Turkey. The research was conducted in Kırıkhan district of Hatay province, which was severely damaged after the earthquake that occurred in Turkey in 2023. The sample for the descriptive and cross-sectional study consisted of 204 participants. Convenience sampling method was used for data collection. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form (PIF), Impact of Events Scale (IES), Stress Coping Strategies Inventory (CSSI), and Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSSS). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with IES-R scores. Three models were tested to understand the factors predicting levels of posttraumatic stress (IES-R scores). The findings suggest that exposure to earthquake, problem-focused coping and seeking support play an important role in understanding posttraumatic stress levels. This study provides valuable insights into the psychological impact of the earthquake on adolescents and young adults, as well as the development of effective intervention strategies and support programs for young earthquake survivors.