Long-term psychopathology rates of children and adolescents and associated factors in the worst-sticken area of 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake.

Abstract

Introduction: Earthquakes are natural disasters that can have significant psychological impacts on individuals, particularly children. While physical injuries are often the immediate focus following an earthquake, the psychological effects can be long-lasting and profound. Understanding the psychiatric effects of traumatic experiences in children following earthquakes is crucial for developing effective interventions and support systems.

Method: One hundred fifty three children and adolescents who experienced the earthquake were evaluated in the first year of the earthquake. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were measured using standardized assessment tools. Factors that may be related to psychopathology, such as sleep disturbance, the extent of trauma, and where one lived after the earthquake, were also evaluated. The anxiety, depression and stress levels of the mother and father separately and their relationship with the child's psychopathology were evaluated.

Results: The frequency of depression risk among participants was found to be 24.8%, while the frequency of anxiety risk was 62.8%. The frequency of PTSD risk was 97.4%. Children who migrated to another province after the earthquake had higher scale scores. Parental depression anxiety stress level was positively correlated with children's scale scores. Disruption in sleep patterns increased the risk of depression by 2.38 times. Experiencing the loss of friends in the earthquake increased PTSD score by 6.27.

Discussion: The findings of this study highlight the importance of addressing the psychiatric needs of children following earthquakes. Psychosocial support and access to appropriate treatment should be prioritized to mitigate the long-term psychological effects of traumatic experiences in children.