Unveiling collective grief: A qualitative study of X posts reflecting on the Kahramanmaraş earthquake anniversary in Türkiye.

Abstract

This study aims to explore the collective grief manifested on the first anniversary of the earthquake that occurred in Türkiye on February 6, 2023, through the analysis of 10,000 posts on platform X. Designed with qualitative methodology, thematic analysis was conducted, revealing two main themes: "collective grief as a ground for social solidarity" and "politicization of collective grief." The results indicated that the sharing of emotions as well as rituals, commemoration ceremonies, etc. made collective grief a ground for social solidarity, collective sense-making, and healing. Likewise, the public's positive or negative reactions to the government's disaster management emerged as one of the factors politicizing the grief. The reactions to the Syrians and Hatay's people reveal the public's perception of "the subject of grief" and "acceptable grief practices." The study's main recommendations include but are not limited to, increasing infrastructure work, and developing psycho-social support and social cohesion services.