The Role of Social Media in Shaping Disaster Preparedness among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Public Health Perspective

Necati Bükecik; Songül Yorgun; Oya Kalaycıoğlu

doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1887844

The Role of Social Media in Shaping Disaster Preparedness among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Public Health Perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: This study examined, from a public health perspective, how social media use patterns, social media addiction, and disaster risk perception are associated with behavioural disaster preparedness among university students aged 18–25. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 with 469 university students aged 18–25. Data were collected via an online questionnaire including a sociodemographic form, the Disaster Preparedness Index, the Social Media Addiction Scale–Adult Form, and the University Students’ Disaster Risk Perception Scale. Univariate analyses and multivariable models were used to identify independent predictors of preparedness. Results: Disaster preparedness was positively associated with prior disaster education. Longer daily social media use was associated with lower preparedness, whereas disaster risk perception tended to be higher with greater exposure. Social media addiction was positively associated with disaster risk perception but showed a weak or inverse association with preparedness. Conclusion: Among young adults, social media may heighten disaster risk perception, yet preparedness behaviours appear to depend more strongly on disaster education and practical preparedness competencies. Campus-based public health programmes should integrate structured disaster training with risk communication and digital literacy components. Keywords: Disaster preparedness, disaster risk perception, public health nursing, social media addiction, young adults.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

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Project Number

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Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from the Social Sciences and Humanities Human Research Ethics Committee of Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University (decision date: 29 December 2025; meeting no: 2025/10; protocol no: 2025/632). Participation was voluntary and based on electronic informed consent. No personally identifiable information was collected; data were analyzed anonymously in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki

Thanks

The authors would like to thank all students who voluntarily participated in the study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health Nursing

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Necati Bükecik ^*
0000-0002-0435-9606
Türkiye

Songül Yorgun
0000-0003-4966-7861
Türkiye

Oya Kalaycıoğlu
0000-0003-2183-7080
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

February 15, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1887844

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA64GD38HB

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Bükecik, N., Yorgun, S., & Kalaycıoğlu, O. (2026). The Role of Social Media in Shaping Disaster Preparedness among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Public Health Perspective. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 15(2), 388-396. https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1887844

AMA

1.Bükecik N, Yorgun S, Kalaycıoğlu O. The Role of Social Media in Shaping Disaster Preparedness among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Public Health Perspective. BAUN Health Sci J. 2026;15(2):388-396. doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1887844

Chicago

Bükecik, Necati, Songül Yorgun, and Oya Kalaycıoğlu. 2026. “The Role of Social Media in Shaping Disaster Preparedness Among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Public Health Perspective”. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 15 (2): 388-96. https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1887844.

EndNote

Bükecik N, Yorgun S, Kalaycıoğlu O (June 1, 2026) The Role of Social Media in Shaping Disaster Preparedness among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Public Health Perspective. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 15 2 388–396.

IEEE

[1]N. Bükecik, S. Yorgun, and O. Kalaycıoğlu, “The Role of Social Media in Shaping Disaster Preparedness among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Public Health Perspective”, BAUN Health Sci J, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 388–396, June 2026, doi: 10.53424/balikesirsbd.1887844.

ISNAD

Bükecik, Necati - Yorgun, Songül - Kalaycıoğlu, Oya. “The Role of Social Media in Shaping Disaster Preparedness Among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Public Health Perspective”. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 15/2 (June 1, 2026): 388-396. https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1887844.

JAMA

1.Bükecik N, Yorgun S, Kalaycıoğlu O. The Role of Social Media in Shaping Disaster Preparedness among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Public Health Perspective. BAUN Health Sci J. 2026;15:388–396.

MLA

Bükecik, Necati, et al. “The Role of Social Media in Shaping Disaster Preparedness Among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Public Health Perspective”. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 15, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 388-96, doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1887844.

Vancouver

1.Necati Bükecik, Songül Yorgun, Oya Kalaycıoğlu. The Role of Social Media in Shaping Disaster Preparedness among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Public Health Perspective. BAUN Health Sci J. 2026 Jun. 1;15(2):388-96. doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1887844