Determination of Post-Earthquake Stress and Anxiety Levels of Individuals in Kahramanmaraş Province, the Center of the Earthquake

Year 2024, Volume: 13 Issue: 3, 636 - 645, 25.12.2024

Ömer Tanrıverdi , Ayse Soylu , Yasemin Sazak

https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1454479

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the frequency of post-traumatic stress disorder (TSSS), anxiety, and depression disorders in victims of the February 6, 2023, earthquake in Turkey. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in Kahramanmaraş province, which was the most damaged by the earthquake, six months after the earthquake that shook Turkey on February 6, 2023. In the research, a personal information form was used to collect demographic data and a Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale was used to evaluate TSSS symptoms. The Earthquake Anxiety Attitude Scale was used to measure anxiety levels.Results: The mean age of the 570 participants was 28.86±10.71 years, and 77.5% were female. 65.1% of the participants were single, 48.4% had less income than expenses, 78.9% had a university degree or higher, and 51.2% were unemployed. The study revealed the presence of significant mental health problems. 58% of participants reported high levels of anxiety, 55% had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (TSSS), and 43% had comorbid depression with TSSS. The study found a strong and positive relationship between earthquake anxiety and the Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale. Conclusion: The results of our study showed that a significant portion of earthquake victims in Turkey experienced mental health problems such as TSSS, anxiety, and depression even 5 months later. These findings clearly demonstrate that the traumatic effects of the earthquake can be long-lasting and that immediate and long-term mental health support is needed in affected areas. The importance of long-term mental health interventions to improve mental health after the earthquake is emphasized.

Keywords

Earthquake centred in Kahramanmaraş, mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder

Depremin Merkezi Kahramanmaraş İlinde Bireylerin Deprem Sonrası Stres ve Kaygı Düzeylerinin Belirlenmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, 6 Şubat 2023 depreminin Türkiye'deki mağdurlarda travma sonrası stres bozukluğu (TSSB), anksiyete ve depresyon bozukluğu sıklığını incelemeyi amaçlamıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışma, 6 Şubat 2023 tarihinde Türkiye'yi sarsan depremden altı ay sonra, depremden en çok etkilenen Kahramanmaraş ilinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmada demografik verilerin toplanmasına yönelik kişisel bilgi formu, TSSB belirtilerini değerlendirmek için Travmatik Stres Belirti Ölçeği. Kaygı düzeylerini ölçmek için Deprem Kaygısına İlişkin Tutum Ölçeği kullanıldı.
Bulgular: Çalışmaya katılan 570 katılımcının yaş ortalaması 28,86±10,71 yıl olup, %77,5’i kadındı. Katılımcıların %65,1’i bekar, %48,4’ünün geliri giderinden azdı, %78,9’unun üniversite veya daha yüksek derecesi vardı ve %51,2’si işsizdi. Çalışmada önemli ruhsal sağlık sorunlarının varlığı ortaya konuldu. Katılımcıların %58’i yüksek düzeyde kaygı yaşadığını, %55’inde travma sonrası stres bozukluğu (TSSB) belirtileri olduğunu ve %43’ünde TSSB ile birlikte eş zamanlı depresyon bulunduğunu bildirdi. Çalışmada deprem kaygısı ile Travma Stres Belirti Ölçeği arasında güçlü ve pozitif bir ilişki bulundu.
Sonuç: Çalışmamızın sonuçları, Türkiye'deki depremzedelerin önemli bir kısmının 5 ay sonra travma sonrası stres bozukluğu (TSSB), anksiyete ve depresyon gibi ruh sağlığı sorunları yaşadığını göstermiştir. Bu bulgular, depremin travmatik etkilerinin uzun süreli olabileceğini ve etkilenen bölgelerde acil ve uzun vadeli ruh sağlığı desteğine ihtiyaç olduğunu açıkça ortaya çıkarıyor. Deprem sonrası ruh sağlığını iyileştirmek için uzun süreli ruh sağlığı müdahalelerinin önemi vurgulanmaktadır

Keywords

Kahramanmaraş merkezli deprem, ruh sağlığı, travma sonrası stres bozukluğu.

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