Posttraumatic stress disorder and related risk factors among earthquake survivors after earthquakes in Turkey: 1-year follow-up study.

Abstract

Objective: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental disorder in individuals affected by earthquake. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PTSD in earthquake survivors affected by two earthquakes with magnitudes 7.7 and 7.6, which occurred 9 hr apart in the southeastern part of Turkey on February 6, 2023, with a 1-year follow-up, and to examine possible factors for the diagnosis of PTSD in the first year after the earthquakes.

Method: The sample consisted of 400 earthquake survivors living in three tent cities in Adıyaman city. The 12th-month follow-up step continued with 153 of 400 earthquake survivors. Each participant completed the PTSD Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition along with a sociodemographic data form. A face-to-face clinical interview was conducted with each participant by using Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition Disorders-Clinician Version.

Results: The prevalence of PTSD in earthquake survivors was 44.8% in the first month after the earthquakes, 30.4% in the sixth month, and 19.6% in the 12th month. Rescued from under debris (p < .001, OR: 4.2, 95% CI [2.6, 6.8]), death of a relative in debris (p = .039, OR: 1.2, 95% CI [1, 2.4]), and reexperiencing scores (p = .019, OR: 1.7, 95% CI [0.8, 2.7]) 1 month after earthquakes predicted PTSD diagnosis 12 months after earthquakes.

Conclusions: Although the prevalence of PTSD decreased in the first year after the earthquakes, approximately one fifth of earthquake victims still had a diagnosis of PTSD. Rescued from under debris, the death of a relative in debris, and postearthquake higher reexperiencing scores may be associated with a diagnosis of PTSD 1 year after the earthquakes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).