Research Article

Disaster Experiences of Elderly Individuals: The Case of Türkiye/Kahramanmaraş Earthquake

Volume: 12 Number: 2 October 21, 2025
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Disaster Experiences of Elderly Individuals: The Case of Türkiye/Kahramanmaraş Earthquake

Abstract

Aim: Disasters occur very frequently in Türkiye. As in other parts of the world, disasters affect some groups more than others in Türkiye. This study aims to reveal the experiences of elderly individuals who experienced the Kahramanmaraş earthquake in the disaster area and tent city. Method: The study was conducted using phenomenological design, which is one of the qualitative research methods. In the study, face-to-face interviews were conducted with twelve elderly individuals with disaster experience, and the transcriptions were coded by experts. Results: As a result of the code analysis, three themes were created by the authors. These themes are challenges and needs, lessons learned in disasters, and seeking support. Conclusion: This study revealed that elderly individuals face more difficulties and are more affected by disasters than others. Therefore, it emphasizes that elderly individuals should be included in integrated disaster management processes to increase their resistance to disasters.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Permits were collected from the Artvin Çoruh University Ethics Committee (Permit No. E-18457941-050.99-83603) to conduct this study. All aspects of this research were conducted in accordance with the Artvin Çoruh University Social Scientific Research Ethics Committee Codes of Ethics.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Disaster and Emergency Management

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

September 22, 2025

Publication Date

October 21, 2025

Submission Date

October 4, 2024

Acceptance Date

March 11, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 12 Number: 2

APA
Demiröz Altıntaş, K., Demiröz Yıldırım, S., Aslan, Z., Çınar Özbay, S., & Torpuş, K. (2025). Disaster Experiences of Elderly Individuals: The Case of Türkiye/Kahramanmaraş Earthquake. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences, 12(2), 663-680. https://doi.org/10.17336/igusbd.1561323
AMA
1.Demiröz Altıntaş K, Demiröz Yıldırım S, Aslan Z, Çınar Özbay S, Torpuş K. Disaster Experiences of Elderly Individuals: The Case of Türkiye/Kahramanmaraş Earthquake. IGUJSS. 2025;12(2):663-680. doi:10.17336/igusbd.1561323
Chicago
Demiröz Altıntaş, Kader, Sevda Demiröz Yıldırım, Zehra Aslan, Sevil Çınar Özbay, and Kemal Torpuş. 2025. “Disaster Experiences of Elderly Individuals: The Case of Türkiye Kahramanmaraş Earthquake”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences 12 (2): 663-80. https://doi.org/10.17336/igusbd.1561323.
EndNote
Demiröz Altıntaş K, Demiröz Yıldırım S, Aslan Z, Çınar Özbay S, Torpuş K (October 1, 2025) Disaster Experiences of Elderly Individuals: The Case of Türkiye/Kahramanmaraş Earthquake. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences 12 2 663–680.
IEEE
[1]K. Demiröz Altıntaş, S. Demiröz Yıldırım, Z. Aslan, S. Çınar Özbay, and K. Torpuş, “Disaster Experiences of Elderly Individuals: The Case of Türkiye/Kahramanmaraş Earthquake”, IGUJSS, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 663–680, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.17336/igusbd.1561323.
ISNAD
Demiröz Altıntaş, Kader - Demiröz Yıldırım, Sevda - Aslan, Zehra - Çınar Özbay, Sevil - Torpuş, Kemal. “Disaster Experiences of Elderly Individuals: The Case of Türkiye Kahramanmaraş Earthquake”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences 12/2 (October 1, 2025): 663-680. https://doi.org/10.17336/igusbd.1561323.
JAMA
1.Demiröz Altıntaş K, Demiröz Yıldırım S, Aslan Z, Çınar Özbay S, Torpuş K. Disaster Experiences of Elderly Individuals: The Case of Türkiye/Kahramanmaraş Earthquake. IGUJSS. 2025;12:663–680.
MLA
Demiröz Altıntaş, Kader, et al. “Disaster Experiences of Elderly Individuals: The Case of Türkiye Kahramanmaraş Earthquake”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences, vol. 12, no. 2, Oct. 2025, pp. 663-80, doi:10.17336/igusbd.1561323.
Vancouver
1.Kader Demiröz Altıntaş, Sevda Demiröz Yıldırım, Zehra Aslan, Sevil Çınar Özbay, Kemal Torpuş. Disaster Experiences of Elderly Individuals: The Case of Türkiye/Kahramanmaraş Earthquake. IGUJSS. 2025 Oct. 1;12(2):663-80. doi:10.17336/igusbd.1561323

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