Social comparison, resilience, life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety among earthquake survivors in Turkey

Abstract

The aftermath of seismic disasters presents a multifaceted challenge for survivors, impacting various aspects of their well-being and mental health. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of resilience in the relationships between social comparison, life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety. The study included 388 participants (age range: 18–69 years; mean age = 34.50 ± 13.18) who were residing in the most earthquake-stricken regions of Turkey and completed the self-reported measures of social comparison, resilience, life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety using a paper-and-pencil format. The results showed that social comparison significantly predicted resilience, satisfaction with life, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. Resilience significantly predicted life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety. More importantly, resilience partially mediated the associations between social comparison and life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety. These findings suggest the importance of interventions that contribute to resilience in earthquake survivors. Post-disaster interventions should focus on strategies to diminish the influence of social comparison on mental health and well-being by cultivating the capacity to bounce back from adversity and cope effectively with challenges.