Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in disaster survivors 1 year after the 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake in Turkey

Objectives

Earthquake, in addition to the structural destruction it causes in the geography where it occurs, is a natural disaster that deeply shakes people's lives and creates serious psychological effects. This study aims to examine the level of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the factors affecting PTSD in individuals who experienced the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake, which is described as the disaster of the century.

Methods

This study included 624 disaster survivors (294 women, 330 men) who were surveyed 12 months after the earthquake. Two researchers visited the city of the earthquake and offered participation to all adults who met the study criteria. The Questionnaire Civilian Version (PCL-S) scale, consisting of a total of 17 questions and 3 subsections (re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal symptoms), was used in the study.

Results

PCL-T scores, which is considered the PTSD, are higher for those whose homes were completely destroyed, those who lost their jobs, those who had no income, those who lost a relative/friend, those who felt alienated from the area they lived in, and those who were married. Reconstruction of the house, restoration of the neighborhood, the level of damage to the house, and return to normal life after the earthquake were found to be significant predictors of the PCL-T score.

Conclusion

The earthquakes in the region have once again demonstrated the importance of building earthquake-resilient cities and infrastructures. In the long term after the earthquake, it is important to increase psychosocial support services including psychological first aid, needs assessment, individual interviews, etc.