Earthquake Survivors Research Articles

The moderating role of depressive symptoms in the relationship between earthquake exposure severity and suicidal ideation among survivors of the February 6 to 7 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes, Turkiye.

Suicidal ideation (SI) is frequently observed in individuals exposed to traumatic events like earthquakes, with its intensity being influenced by factors such as the severity of earthquake exposure and depression. Therefore, identifying the key factors that contribute to suicidal ideation in individuals severely affected by earthquakes and those who have suffered significant harm is essential for minimizing the trauma's impact through targeted psychosocial interventions. This study aims to identify the risk factors contributing to SI and examine whether depressive symptoms moderate the relationship between the severity of earthquake exposure and lifetime suicidal ideation among survivors of the February 6 to 7, 2023, earthquake in Turkiye. This study was carried out with 186 earthquake survivors (women: 55.9% and men: 44.1%). The study design was cross-sectional and included self-report assessments. The Earthquake Experience Questionnaire (EEQ), the Anxiety Subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used in the study. A significant interaction was observed only between depressive symptoms and earthquake experience in predicting lifetime SI. Among individuals with moderate to high levels of depression, SI decreased as the severity of earthquake experience increased. The findings suggest that positive psychological processes, such as post-traumatic growth, may reduce SI. However, depression remains a significant risk factor, highlighting the need for effective treatment and psychological recovery support after trauma.

PTSD and Depression Symptoms Among Earthquake Survivors in Türkiye: A Network Analysis

Traumatic events, such as earthquakes, can lead to the onset of mental health conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. This study aimed to investigate the symptom-level associations between PTSD and depression symptoms in earthquake survivors using network analysis. Network analysis was conducted on a sample of 978 adults affected by the earthquake that occurred in southern Türkiye on February 6, 2023. The sample included 592 women (59.6%) and 401 men (40.4%), with an age range of 18 to 67 years and a mean age of 34.82 (SD = 14.19). Data collection took place between May 6 and May 28, 2023. Participants completed the International Trauma Questionnaire and International Depression Questionnaire to measure PTSD and depression symptoms and the associations were analyzed using network analysis. Results indicated that ‘psychomotor agitation’ and ‘exaggerated startle response’ symptoms emerged as central symptoms and in contrast, suicidal thoughts showed weak associations with other symptoms, suggesting limited connectivity within the overall network. Sleep problems showed high bridge centrality, suggesting that the symptom plays a crucial role in linking the two disorders, potentially explaining pathways of comorbidity. Moreover, depressive and PTSD symptoms represent distinct diagnostic categories, yet they are interconnected through significant links, indicating the presence of two interdependent systems. The findings give novel insights into the clarify mechanisms underlying comorbidity and refine targets for interventions.

Clinical outcomes of patients with crush syndrome in the Kahramanmaras earthquake

Earthquakes are among the most devastating natural disasters, often resulting in significant loss of life and widespread injuries. Crush syndrome (CS), a systemic manifestation of muscle injury due to prolonged compression, is a critical condition commonly seen in earthquake survivors. This study examines the clinical outcomes of patients with crush syndrome (CS) and acute kidney injury (AKI) following the 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake in Turkey. Of the 321 survivors hospitalized, 143 required intensive care. The study found that children were more likely to develop CS, while adults had longer hospital stays. CS was associated with higher rates of complications, including compartment syndrome, the need for fasciotomy, and mortality. The findings highlight the importance of early detection and treatment of CS and AKI in disaster survivors to improve outcomes and reduce mortality in future earthquakes.

Relationship Between Peritraumatic Dissociation, Beliefs About Losing Control, Resilience, and PTSD on Earthquake Survivors in Turkey.

The earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023, caused significant losses in Turkey. While a large number of people are exposed to trauma, only a few develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has been suggested that peritraumatic dissociation and dysfunctional beliefs also play a role in the emergence and maintenance of PTSD, and resilience is one of the most important protective factors for PTSD. This study is to test the moderated mediating role of resilience on beliefs about losing control (BALC) and its associations with peritraumatic dissociation and PTSD in earthquake survivors. A total of 112 individuals living in the tent city of Hatay and Kahramanmaraş Provinces, which experienced earthquakes in 2023 in Turkey, were included in the study. Participants completed Sociodemographic Information Form, PTSD Symptom Scale-Self-Report, Brief Resilience Scale, Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire, and Beliefs about Losing Control Inventory. Peritraumatic dissociation positively correlated with BALC (β = 0.487, p < 0.001). BALC acts as a mediator and positively predicts post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) (β = 0.321, p < 0.001). The interaction between BALC and resilience also had a significant effect on PTSS (β = 0.032, p < 0.05). The relationship between BALC and PTSS was significant at high and medium resilience levels (p<0.05) but not at low resilience. Peritraumatic dissociation predicts PTSS both directly and through BALC, and higher levels of resilience are more likely than lower levels of resilience to attenuate the effects of BALC on PTSS in earthquake survivors.

Earthquake as a traumatic experience: Earthquake survivors' post-earthquake reactions, meaning-making and reconstruction processes

Earthquake as a traumatic experience: Earthquake survivors' post-earthquake reactions, meaning-making and reconstruction processes

The observations and experience of the Surgical Disaster Response Team from Ankara Etlik City Hospital in the earthquakes of February 6, 2023 in Türkiye.

Two major earthquakes struck southeastern Türkiye consecutively on February 6, 2023. On the same day, a Surgical Disaster Response Team was immediately formed at Ankara Etlik City Hospital and deployed to the affected region, where they worked for seven days at Hatay-Reyhanlı State Hospital. The aim of this study was to present the experiences, data, and recommendations of the Ankara Etlik City Hospital Surgical Disaster Response Team following the February 6, 2023 earthquakes. Data were collected from the individual records of the physicians in the Surgical Disaster Response Team. The physicians provided information about the units in which they worked, their roles, the procedures they performed, treatments administered, observations made, experiences encountered, and recommendations for future disaster response efforts. The anesthesiologists in the team worked in the operating theatres and intensive care units. In addition to performing surgical procedures, the cardiovascular surgeon, general surgeons, and pediatric surgeon also assisted in the emergency department's red and yellow zones as needed. The orthopedic surgeons performed 96 interventions, the neurosurgeon 11, the cardiovascular surgeon five, the general surgeons four, and the pediatric surgeon four. Of the total procedures, 80% were performed by orthopedic surgeons, while the remaining 20% were carried out by specialists from other surgical branches. Extremity injuries are common among earthquake survivors and usually require orthopedic intervention. In a hospital where the administrative staff are also disaster victims, management should be assumed by the incoming disaster response team. A detailed disaster preparedness plan must outline which regions will provide support, including personnel, transportation, materials, and patient referrals, to specific disaster-affected areas. In addition to surgeons, the disaster response team must include emergency medicine specialists, internal medicine specialists, pediatricians, and gynecologists. The Surgical Disaster Response Team should be a fully integrated unit consisting of doctors, nurses, and auxiliary personnel.

Investigation of the effectiveness of short-term grief-focused group intervention for 1st degree losses in earthquake.

Investigation of the effectiveness of short-term grief-focused group intervention for 1st degree losses in earthquake.

Resilience and coping with earthquake stress: The roles of anxiety, stress, and depression as serial mediators.

Although a crucial relationship has been described between resilience and coping with earthquake stress (CES), little is known about the effects of anxiety, and stress, and depression have on this association. This study aims to investigate the indirect effects of anxiety, stress, and depression on the association between resilience and CES among adults who survived the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes. The participants of the study included 415 adults (28.9% male, 71.1% female, Mage = 27.06) who were affected by the earthquakes. We used the Pearson correlation method to examine the associations among variables, and utilized Hayes' bootstrapping for the serial mediation analyses. The results indicate an increase in resilience after the earthquake disaster to also increase CES, with anxiety and stress affecting the resilience-CES relationship through depression. The results highlight the significance of resilience, anxiety, stress, and depression in elevating CES levels among adult earthquake survivors.

The Role of MHPSS in Anxiety, Social Function, and Bounce-Back Ability of Earthquake Survivors

The Role of MHPSS in Anxiety, Social Function, and Bounce-Back Ability of Earthquake Survivors

The Importance of Psychological Resilience in Earthquake Survivors’ Mental Health

I would like to contribute to the findings of the research article titled “Investigation of Suicide Attempt, Impulsivity, Psychological Pain and Depression in Earthquake Survivors Affected by the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş Centered Earthquake” through the effects of psychological resilience on earthquake-related mental and psychosocial outcomes.

Shared suffering predicts prosocial commitment among Turkish earthquake survivors

Previous research suggests that the perception of shared emotion associated with personally transformative events can foster a strong form of social bonding known as ‘identity fusion’, which motivates pro-group action. Here we test predictions from this model among Turkish citizens and Syrian refugees following the catastrophic earthquakes in Turkey on February 6th, 2023. The lead researcher administered surveys in person to 120 Turkish earthquake survivors in the most heavily affected areas. In line with our predictions, mean levels of identity fusion significantly increased with perceived shared suffering for both Turkish and Syrian groups. Further, identity fusion predicted prosocial commitment, measured by the expressed willingness of earthquake survivors to volunteer assistance to disaster victims. Remarkably, participants were as likely to pledge help to other Turkish earthquake survivors as they were to their own families. This study contributes to a growing understanding of how shared suffering facilitates group bonding and cooperation, both within and across social groups.

Group Work for Earthquake Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial Transforming Crisis into Hope

Group Work for Earthquake Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial Transforming Crisis into Hope

Mental health impact of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes: Prevalence of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress among survivors.

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and stress among earthquake survivors following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. This cross-sectional study included 461 earthquake survivors. The findings revealed prevalence rates of 17.4% for PTSD, 61.2% for depression, 79.4% for anxiety, and 58.4% for stress. A moderately significant positive correlation was found between PTSD and depression (r = 0.434), anxiety (r = 0.543), and stress (r = 0.534). Female participants had a higher risk for PTSD (OR = 2.144, p = 0.028) and anxiety (OR = 2.014, p = 0.005). Being unmarried was associated with increased risks for depression (OR = 1.597, p = 0.030) and anxiety (OR = 1.523, p = 0.045). Participants aged 33-67 had a significantly lower risk of developing PTSD (OR = 0.079, p = 0.022). Increased psychological support is essential for earthquake survivors' mental health recovery.

Access to ınformation and social solidarity in the 2023 Turkey earthquake: disaster education as citizenship education

This qualitative study explores the experiences of 16 survivors of the 2023 earthquake in Turkey, aiming to highlight the critical role of disaster education within broader citizenship education. Through semi-structured interviews and inductive thematic analysis, four key themes emerged: access to information, trust in information sources, social solidarity, and the fulfillment of basic needs. These findings underscore the importance of integrating disaster education into citizenship education to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective disaster preparedness and response. The research advocates for multi-faceted approaches to disaster readiness that not only enhance immediate survival and recovery but also foster long-term community resilience. By amplifying the voices of earthquake survivors, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the vital intersection between education, citizenship, and disaster management, offering insights into how to better equip citizens to respond to and recover from crises.

Strength-based parenting improves depression outcomes and promotes posttraumatic growth in earthquake survivors: a longitudinal study

Traumatic life experiences such as earthquakes are impactful on individuals’ mental health and positive psychological characteristics are key assets for the preservation of mental health after stressful situations. Strength-based parenting and optimism are considered among those strengths to combat psychological problems including depression. The current study aimed to examine the longitudinal mediating effects of optimism between strength-based parenting and depression (model 1) and post-traumatic growth (model 2). Participants included 137 university students ranging in age between 18 and 53 (M = 21.83, SD = 5.41). Results demonstrated that strength-based parenting at baseline significantly and negatively correlated with depression while positive correlations were found with optimism and post-traumatic growth at a six-month follow-up. Moreover, optimism (T2) mediated the relationship between strength-based parenting (T1) and depression (T2) and post-traumatic growth (T2). Thus, this study identified the positive qualities and strengths to combat the adverse psychological effects of traumatic experiences including earthquakes, and deepened the current understanding of how strength-based parenting longitudinally contributes to individuals’ positive psychological strengths, processes, and mental health after “the disaster of the century.”

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sleep Problems and Nutritional Status after the 7.8 and 7.5 Magnitude Earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, stress, anxiety levels, sleep problems, and nutritional status among earthquake survivors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted nine months after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes with 201 adult earthquake survivors, including 87 men and 114 women, with a mean age of 29.46 ± 12.19 years. An online questionnaire including demographic characteristics, the Impact of Event Scale (IES-R), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, the PTSD Symptom-Self Report Scale (PSS-SR), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and food frequency questionnaire was performed. Participants self-reported their height and body weight before and after the earthquake. The scales were correlated and compared with gender. Results: According to the PSS-SR classification, 58.3% of participants had severe and 11.9% had extremely severe PTSD symptoms. Additionally, 51.2% experienced extremely severe anxiety, and 75.6% had insomnia. There was a moderate positive correlation between IES-R and stress (r: 0.634, p

Resilience and meaning-centered coping as mediators in the relationship between life satisfaction and posttraumatic outcomes among earthquake survivors in Turkey.

This study aimed to examine the mediating roles of resilience and meaning-centered coping in the relationships between life satisfaction and posttraumatic growth and depreciation. The sample consisted of 255 participants (70% females, Mage = 23.35), who directly experienced the earthquakes that occurred in Turkey on February 6, 2023. Using an online survey, participants answered self-reported questions about their perceived life satisfaction, posttraumatic growth, depreciation, resilience, and meaning-centered coping. Findings showed that life satisfaction significantly predicted resilience, meaning-centered coping, and posttraumatic depreciation. Resilience and meaning-centered coping significantly predicted both posttraumatic growth and depreciation. Importantly, resilience and meaning-centered coping significantly mediated the association of life satisfaction with posttraumatic growth and depreciation. In conclusion, the findings of this study have important implications for customizing interventions designed to enhance the resilience and coping mechanisms of individuals dealing with traumas, including those with posttraumatic stress disorder.

The role of intrinsic spirituality, emotion dysregulation, and resilience on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in university students who survived earthquake.

The role of intrinsic spirituality, emotion dysregulation, and resilience on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in university students who survived earthquake.

Exploring the bereavement experiences and prevalence of prolonged grief disorder among 2023 Turkish earthquake survivors with advanced chronic disease: a mixed methods study

ObjectiveWhile traumatic experience of a loved one’s death and having a chronic disease are both risk factors for prolonged grief disorder, there are no published studies on bereavement among earthquake...

Evaluation of fear of falling, balance, and kinesiophobia in earthquake survivors: A comparative study between older and young adults.

This study aims to evaluate fear of falling, balance, and kinesiophobia among survivors of the earthquake that occurred in Türkiye on February 6th, 2023 and to identify potential predictors of fear of falling and impaired balance. In this single-center, cross-sectional study, a total of 260 Kahramanmaraş earthquake survivors (105 males, 155 females; median age: 44.0 years; range, 18 to 91 years) between May 08, 2024 and July 08, 2024 were included. The sociodemographic data including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), marital status (single, married, widow), education status (years), monthly income (Turkish Lira [TL]), smoking status (never smoked, smoking before the earthquake or started smoking after the earthquake), alcohol intake (never, regular use of alcohol before the earthquake, or started alcohol consumption after the earthquake) of the participants were recorded. Comorbidities were evaluated using the modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using the National Stressful Events Survey for PTSD-Short Scale (NSESSS-PTSD), sleep disorders using the Jenkins Sleep Evaluation Scale (JSS), fear of falling using the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), functional balance using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and kinesiophobia using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). Of the survivors (n=260), 4.6% and 33.8% experienced loss of first-degree relatives and house damage, respectively. The FES and TSK scores were higher, while the BBS score was lower in older adults (n=56) compared to younger counterparts (n=204) (p<0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that increased age affected the BBS (β=-0.124; 95% CI: -0.263 - -0.185; p<0.001) and FES scores (β=0.404; 95% CI: 0.255 - 0.451; p<0.001). The PTSD-SS score had a significant effect on the FES score (β=0.915; 95% CI: 0.734 - 1.110; p<0.001). The Kahramanmaraş earthquake caused detrimental effects. Older people were more affected in terms of balance, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia. Increased age and post-traumatic stress are significantly associated with fear of falling following the earthquake. As a potential risk factor for fear of falling, post-traumatic stress should be managed properly in survivors of such disasters, particularly in those at older age.