Psychological Impact of Great Southeast Turkiye 2023 Earthquake: Hatay Phase

Abstract

Aim: The 2023 Great Southeast Türkiye Earthquake was a disastrous event with profound psychological effects on those who endured it. This study aims to assess the psychological impact of this earthquake on survivors from Hatay, focusing on correlations between anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and perceived stress. Method: Conducted between July 2023 and September 2023, the research involved 384 survivors, using the Beck Anxiety, Depression, Hopelessness, and Perceived Stress Scales for a thorough analysis of correlations among these mental health conditions. Results: The analysis confirmed significant correlations among all examined psychological conditions (p<0.05). Stress was especially linked to higher anxiety (r=0.47, p<0.001) and depression scores (r=0.53, p<0.001). Traumatic experiences, including witnessing death and losing homes, were associated with increased anxiety and depression. Conclusion: The findings reveal the complex interplay of psychological issues following the earthquake, underscoring the critical need for targeted mental health interventions in Hatay. Originality: This study stands out for its early examination of the psychological aftermath of a regional natural disaster, offering valuable insights for shaping future crisis interventions and highlighting the importance of tailored mental health care in post-disaster recovery planning.

Keywords

• Psychological effects of earthquake in southeast Türkiye 2023
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Hopelessness

Büyük Güneydoğu Türkiye Depreminin Psikolojik Etkileri: Hatay Bölgesi

Abstract

Amaç: 2023 Büyük Güneydoğu Türkiye Depremi, hayatta kalanlar üzerinde derin psikolojik etkilere neden olan yıkıcı bir olaydı. Bu çalışma, Kahramanmaraş merkezli depremlerin Hatay'daki depremden etkilenenlere olan psikolojik etkilerini, özellikle anksiyete, depresyon, umutsuzluk ve algılanan stres arasındaki ilişkiler bağlamında değerlendirilmesini amaçlamıştır. Yöntem: Temmuz ve Eylül 2023 arasında gerçekleştirilen araştırmada, 384 depremzedeye Beck Anksiyete, Depresyon, Umutsuzluk ve Algılanan Stres Ölçekleri kullanılarak zihinsel sağlık koşulları arasındaki korelasyonlar detaylı bir şekilde analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: Yapılan analizler, incelenen psikolojik durumlar arasında önemli korelasyonlar olduğunu doğrulamıştır (p<0.05). Stres, özellikle yüksek anksiyete (r=0.47, p<0.001) ve depresyon skorları (r=0.53, p<0.001) ile ilişkilendirilmiştir. Ölümü gözlemlemek ve ev kaybı gibi travmatik deneyimler artan anksiyete ve depresyon ile bağlantılı bulunmuştur. Sonuç: Çalışma, depremin ardından ortaya çıkan psikolojik sorunların karmaşık etkileşimini ortaya koymakta ve Hatay'da hedeflenmiş ruhsal sağlık müdahalelerinin kritik ihtiyacını vurgulamaktadır. Özgünlük: Bu çalışma, bölgesel bir doğal afetin psikolojik sonuçlarını erken dönemde inceleyen çalışmalardan biri olarak, gelecekteki kriz müdahalelerini şekillendirmek için değerli içgörüler sunmakta ve afet sonrası iyileşme planlamasında özelleştirilmiş ruhsal sağlık bakımının önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• 2023 Türkiye güney-doğu depreminin psikolojik etkileri
• Depresyon
• Anksiyete
• Stres
• Umutsuzluk.

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