{"title":"Impact of the February 6, 2023, Turkey earthquake on post-traumatic stress disorder, internet addiction and insomnia: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Şeyma Sehlikoğlu, Esra Bekircan, Abdülkadir Gündüz","doi":"10.1177/00207640241294203","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>After earthquakes, individuals may increase their internet usage to cope with post-traumatic stress symptoms, potentially leading to internet addiction and sleep disturbances.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>This study aims to determine the levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), internet addiction and insomnia in earthquake survivors 1 year after the event and to explore the relationships between these variables.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between April and June 2024 through face-to-face interviews with 554 individuals who survived the February 6, 2023 earthquake in Turkey, 1 year after the event. Data were collected using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Young Internet Addiction Test-Short Form (YIAT-SF) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found between PCL-5, YIAT-SF and ISI based on the Pearson correlation test (<i>r</i> = .32 and .44, respectively; <i>p</i> < .05). According to the logistic regression analysis, experiencing physical injury during the earthquake and the loss of first-degree relatives were found to predict the severity of PTSD symptoms (<i>p</i> = .04, OR = 2.44, 95% CI [1.04, 5.65]; <i>p</i> < .001, OR = 1.98, 95% CI [1.26, 3.06], respectively). Additionally, the YIAT-SF and ISI variables were found to be statistically significant predictors of PTSD symptom severity (<i>p</i> < .001, OR = 1.04, 95% CI [1.01, 1.07]; <i>p</i> < .001, OR = 1.18, 95% CI [1.12, 1.23], respectively).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>It is concluded that the severity of PTSD symptoms in earthquake survivors is associated with the severity levels of insomnia and internet addiction. Additionally, it is determined that experiencing injury or loss of a loved one during the earthquake may increase the severity of PTSD symptoms. To protect earthquake survivors from the risk of PTSD, it may be necessary to provide psychosocial support focussed on positive coping strategies for internet addiction and insomnia.</p>","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"207640241294203"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2024-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640241294203","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PSYCHIATRY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: After earthquakes, individuals may increase their internet usage to cope with post-traumatic stress symptoms, potentially leading to internet addiction and sleep disturbances.
Aims: This study aims to determine the levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), internet addiction and insomnia in earthquake survivors 1 year after the event and to explore the relationships between these variables.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between April and June 2024 through face-to-face interviews with 554 individuals who survived the February 6, 2023 earthquake in Turkey, 1 year after the event. Data were collected using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Young Internet Addiction Test-Short Form (YIAT-SF) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).
Results: A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found between PCL-5, YIAT-SF and ISI based on the Pearson correlation test (r = .32 and .44, respectively; p < .05). According to the logistic regression analysis, experiencing physical injury during the earthquake and the loss of first-degree relatives were found to predict the severity of PTSD symptoms (p = .04, OR = 2.44, 95% CI [1.04, 5.65]; p < .001, OR = 1.98, 95% CI [1.26, 3.06], respectively). Additionally, the YIAT-SF and ISI variables were found to be statistically significant predictors of PTSD symptom severity (p < .001, OR = 1.04, 95% CI [1.01, 1.07]; p < .001, OR = 1.18, 95% CI [1.12, 1.23], respectively).
Conclusions: It is concluded that the severity of PTSD symptoms in earthquake survivors is associated with the severity levels of insomnia and internet addiction. Additionally, it is determined that experiencing injury or loss of a loved one during the earthquake may increase the severity of PTSD symptoms. To protect earthquake survivors from the risk of PTSD, it may be necessary to provide psychosocial support focussed on positive coping strategies for internet addiction and insomnia.
期刊介绍:
The International Journal of Social Psychiatry, established in 1954, is a leading publication dedicated to the field of social psychiatry. It serves as a platform for the exchange of research findings and discussions on the influence of social, environmental, and cultural factors on mental health and well-being. The journal is particularly relevant to psychiatrists and multidisciplinary professionals globally who are interested in understanding the broader context of psychiatric disorders and their impact on individuals and communities.
Social psychiatry, as a discipline, focuses on the origins and outcomes of mental health issues within a social framework, recognizing the interplay between societal structures and individual mental health. The journal draws connections with related fields such as social anthropology, cultural psychiatry, and sociology, and is influenced by the latest developments in these areas.
The journal also places a special emphasis on fast-track publication for brief communications, ensuring that timely and significant research can be disseminated quickly. Additionally, it strives to reflect its international readership by publishing state-of-the-art reviews from various regions around the world, showcasing the diverse practices and perspectives within the psychiatric disciplines. This approach not only contributes to the scientific understanding of social psychiatry but also supports the global exchange of knowledge and best practices in mental health care.