The Relationship Between Post-Traumatic Stress, Hopelessness and Resources Adequacy in Fire Disaster Survivors: A Mediation Analysis

Abstract

AbstractThis study explores the psychosocial aftermath of the fire disaster by focusing on the levels of post-traumatic stress, hopelessness and perception of adequacy of resources of the affected population in the Manavgat district of Antalya province. The data of this study, which is a descriptive correlational research, were collected between 01 March-31 May 2022. The Information form, Impact of Events Scale, Beck Hopelessness Scale and Perception of Adequacy of Resource Scale were used as the data collection tools. A total of 245 individuals, predominantly farmers and with a low-income status, participated in the study. Field data revealed a high level post-traumatic stress (39.56 ± 15.71), moderate hopelessness (10.53 ± 6.83), and moderate perception of adequacy of resources (104.17 ± 32.15) among the participants. Another important finding of the study is; sociodemographic variables were significantly associated with the impact of events, hopelessness, and perception of adequacy of resources. Being female, low education and income level, being farmer, having heavily damaged house and living in a prefabricated house emerged as risk factors for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The results demonstrated a strong correlation between hopelessness, perception of adequacy of resources and post-traumatic stress. Hopelessness partially mediated the relationship between adequacy of resources and post-traumatic stress. The massive physical, economic and social losses caused by wildfire have led to persistent psychosocial problems among the affected population. The findings highlight the importance of assessing losses related to socioeconomic status and applying risk management accordingly. The data obtained in this study can shed light on the determination of risky groups after fire disaster, psychosocial interventions to be applied and the duration of interventions.