{"title":"Traumatic stress in earthquake victims in Turkey: Evaluation in terms of claustrophobia and resilience.","authors":"Dilek Önder, Gülseren Keskin","doi":"10.1177/00207640251356721","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>All traumatic events threaten an individual's sense of safety. However, a distinctive feature of disasters is that they threaten not only the safety of individuals but also that of the entire community. Trauma associated with disasters can affect people in many different ways.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to determine the levels of posttraumatic stress and the prevalence of claustrophobia among earthquake survivors following the İzmir earthquake in Turkey and to assess their psychological resilience.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2022 using a known-population sampling method with individuals affected by the 2020 İzmir earthquake. A total of 383 participants were included. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews via the PTSD Scale, the DSM-5 PCL-5, and the RSA Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.0, including <i>t</i>-tests, one-way ANOVA, correlation, and regression analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifty-eight percent of the earthquake survivors who participated in the study lived in container housing for more than 6 months. According to the mean PTSD scores, 50.1% of the participants presented mild, 21.4% moderate, 20.9% moderate-to-severe, and 7.6% severe symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. A significant positive correlation was found between PTSD and the DSM-5 PCL-5 (<i>r</i> = .479; <i>p</i> < .01) and between PTSD and RSA (<i>r</i> = .195; <i>p</i> < .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study demonstrates that earthquake survivors continue to experience significant levels of posttraumatic stress and claustrophobia, particularly those exposed to prolonged displacement in container housing. The positive relationship between PTSD and resilience underscores the protective role of psychological strength, yet highlights the need for targeted support. To improve outcomes, it is essential to integrate early mental health screening, resilience-focused interventions, and trauma-informed care into disaster response. Enhancing the quality and psychological safety of temporary housing should also be prioritized. These measures can significantly contribute to both individual recovery and broader community resilience.</p>","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"207640251356721"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-08-09","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/10.1177/00207640251356721","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: All traumatic events threaten an individual's sense of safety. However, a distinctive feature of disasters is that they threaten not only the safety of individuals but also that of the entire community. Trauma associated with disasters can affect people in many different ways.
Aim: This study aimed to determine the levels of posttraumatic stress and the prevalence of claustrophobia among earthquake survivors following the İzmir earthquake in Turkey and to assess their psychological resilience.
Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2022 using a known-population sampling method with individuals affected by the 2020 İzmir earthquake. A total of 383 participants were included. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews via the PTSD Scale, the DSM-5 PCL-5, and the RSA Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.0, including t-tests, one-way ANOVA, correlation, and regression analyses.
Results: Fifty-eight percent of the earthquake survivors who participated in the study lived in container housing for more than 6 months. According to the mean PTSD scores, 50.1% of the participants presented mild, 21.4% moderate, 20.9% moderate-to-severe, and 7.6% severe symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. A significant positive correlation was found between PTSD and the DSM-5 PCL-5 (r = .479; p < .01) and between PTSD and RSA (r = .195; p < .05).
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that earthquake survivors continue to experience significant levels of posttraumatic stress and claustrophobia, particularly those exposed to prolonged displacement in container housing. The positive relationship between PTSD and resilience underscores the protective role of psychological strength, yet highlights the need for targeted support. To improve outcomes, it is essential to integrate early mental health screening, resilience-focused interventions, and trauma-informed care into disaster response. Enhancing the quality and psychological safety of temporary housing should also be prioritized. These measures can significantly contribute to both individual recovery and broader community resilience.
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.