Psychosocial and Structural Changes Caused by the Earthquake in Families: The Case of Hatay

Year 2026, Volume: 16 Issue: 3 , 69 - 91 , 31.03.2026

Seyfettin Babat , Gülen Baran

https://izlik.org/JA97XT93YE

Abstract

This study examines the psychosocial and structural impacts of the 6 February 2023 earthquakes centred in Kahramanmaraş on families living in Hatay province through the lens of family systems and resilience approaches. Conducted using a qualitative research design, the study involved semi-structured interviews with four families directly affected by the earthquake in Antakya and İskenderun, and the data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach. The analysis identified four main themes: (i) emotional and relational impacts, (ii) disruption of daily life and routines, (iii) psychosocial support and social assistance, and (iv) future perspective and resilience. The findings reveal that housing uncertainty and forced migration transformed roles and communication patterns within families; the loss of routine particularly complicated children's adjustment processes; and although social support networks functioned as a protective resource, their discontinuity increased feelings of exhaustion and loneliness. The results indicate that post-disaster services should not be limited to individual-focused interventions; a holistic approach is necessary, including psychosocial support at the family system level, the re-establishment of routines, and programmes that strengthen resilience.

Keywords

Earthquake , Hatay , Family system , Psychosocial effects , Resilience and social support

DEPREMİN AİLEDE YARATTIĞI PSİKOSOSYAL VE YAPISAL DEĞİŞİMLER: HATAY ÖRNEĞİ

https://izlik.org/JA97XT93YE

Abstract

Bu çalışma, 6 Şubat 2023 Kahramanmaraş merkezli depremlerin Hatay ilinde yaşayan aileler üzerindeki psikososyal ve yapısal etkilerini aile sistemi ve dayanıklılık yaklaşımları üzerinden incelemektedir. Nitel araştırma deseninde yürütülen çalışmada Antakya ve İskenderun’da depremden doğrudan etkilenen dört aile ile yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiş, veriler Braun ve Clarke’ın tematik analiz yaklaşımıyla çözümlenmiştir. Analiz sonucunda (i) duygusal ve ilişkisel etkiler, (ii) günlük yaşam ve rutinlerde bozulma, (iii) psikososyal destek ve toplumsal yardım ve (iv) gelecek perspektifi ve dayanıklılık olmak üzere dört ana tema belirlenmiştir. Bulgular, barınma belirsizliği ve zorunlu göçün aile içi rol ve iletişim örüntülerini dönüştürdüğünü; rutin kaybının özellikle çocukların uyum süreçlerini zorlaştırdığını; sosyal destek ağlarının ise koruyucu bir kaynak olarak işlev görmesine rağmen süreklilik göstermediğinde tükenmişlik ve yalnızlık duygularını artırdığını ortaya koymaktadır. Sonuçlar, afet sonrası hizmetlerin birey odaklı müdahalelerle sınırlı kalmaması; aile sistemi düzeyinde psikososyal destek, rutinlerin yeniden kurulması ve dayanıklılığı güçlendiren programlarla bütüncül bir yaklaşımın gerekliliğine işaret etmektedir.

Keywords

Deprem , Hatay , Aile Sistemi , Psikososyal etkiler , Dayanıklılık ve Sosyal Destek

References

• Ahmed, S. K., Mohammed, R. A., Nashwan, A. J., Ibrahim, R. H., Abdalla, A. Q., Ameen, B. M., ve Khdhir, R. M. (2025). Using thematic analysis in qualitative research. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 6, 100198.
• Ak, B. U. (2021). Mental health and psychosocial support in Turkey: Practices, policies and recommendations. Türkiye Sosyal Hizmet Araştırmaları Dergisi, 5(1), 46–55.
• Aker, T., ve Önder, E. (2025). Posttraumatic stress disorder–related mental health problems and risk factors after an earthquake. Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 35(Suppl. 1), S113–S121.
• Arslanlı, S. E., Duru, H. A., Bakır, E., ve Pulat, P. (2024). Exploring the disaster experiences and psychosocial support needs of children affected by the Kahramanmaraş earthquake in Turkey through drawing narratives. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 78, e260–e269.
• Bonanno, G. A. (2004). Loss, trauma, and human resilience: Have we underestimated the human capacity to thrive after extremely aversive events? American Psychologist, 59(1), 20–28.
• Bonanno, G. A., ve Burton, C. L. (2013). Regulatory flexibility: An individual differences perspective on coping and emotion regulation. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 8(6), 591–612.
• Bonanno, G. A., Galea, S., Bucciarelli, A., ve Vlahov, D. (2007). What predicts psychological resilience after disaster? The role of demographics, resources, and life stress. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 75(5), 671–682.
• Bountress, K. E., Gilmore, A. K., Metzger, I. W., Aggen, S. H., Tomko, R. L., Danielson, C. K., ... ve Amstadter, A. B. (2020). Impact of disaster exposure severity: Cascading effects across parental distress, adolescent PTSD symptoms, as well as parent-child conflict and communication. Social Science ve Medicine, 264, 113293.
• Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice. Jason Aronson.
• Braun, V., ve Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
• Braun, V., ve Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE.
• Braun, V., ve Clarke, V. (2022). Conceptual and design thinking for thematic analysis. Qualitative Psychology, 8(1), 3–26.
• Cordone, A., Fairchild, V., ve Cicero, M. X. (2025). Impact of natural disasters on children: Key considerations for pediatricians. Pediatrics in Review, 46(4), 189–197.
• Çıtak, Ş., ve Dadandı, İ. (2024). The effect of earthquake exposure on PTSD symptoms mediated by intrusive rumination and moderated by gender: A cross-sectional study on the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake survivors. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 2294.
• Demirbaş-Kurtoğlu, H. (2023). Kahramanmaraş merkezli depremler sonrası depremzedelerde posttravmatik stres bozukluğu, depresyon ve anksiyete bozukluğu yaygınlığının araştırılması [Tıpta uzmanlık tezi, Gaziantep Üniversitesi].
• Elçi, G., Genç, A., Yaşartürk, F., Aktaş, A. K., ve Kaya, G. Y. (2023). Fiziksel aktivitenin depremzede çocuklar üzerindeki etkileri hakkında ebeveyn görüşlerinin incelenmesi. Mediterranean Journal of Sport Science, 6(1, Cumhuriyet’in 100. Yılı Özel Sayısı), 1123–1133.
• Galea, S., Nandi, A., ve Vlahov, D. (2005). The epidemiology of post-traumatic stress disorder after disasters. Epidemiologic Reviews, 27(1), 78–91.
• Guest, G., Bunce, A., ve Johnson, L. (2006). How many interviews are enough? An experiment with data saturation and variability. Field Methods, 18(1), 59–82.
• Harville, E. W., Taylor, C. A., Tesfai, H., Xiong, X., ve Buekens, P. (2011). Experience of Hurricane Katrina and reported intimate partner violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26(4), 833–845.
• Heanoy, E. Z., ve Brown, N. R. (2024). Impact of natural disasters on mental health: Evidence and implications. Healthcare (Basel), 12(18), 1812.
• Hill, R. (1949). Families under stress. Harper ve Row.
• Hock, E., Blank, L., Fairbrother, H., Clowes, M., Cuevas, D. C., Cuevas, D., ... ve Goyder, E. (2023). Exploring the impact of housing insecurity on the health and well-being of children and young people: A systematic review. Public Health Research, 11(13), 1–71.
• İme, Y., ve Dilmaç, B. (2025). The association between depression, anxiety, stress, and resilience; self-efficacy and social support as mediators among 2023 Türkiye earthquake survivors. Current Psychology, 1–8.
• Kaniasty, K. (2020). Social support, interpersonal, and community dynamics following disasters caused by natural hazards. Current Opinion in Psychology, 32, 105–109.
• Koçbay, A., ve Sıgırtmaç, A. D. (2025). Deprem sonrası göç etmiş okul öncesi dönem çocuklarının sosyal ve duygusal durumlarının incelenmesi. Yaşadıkça Eğitim, 39(1), 249–266.
• Lowe, S. R., Rhodes, J. E., ve Scoglio, A. A. J. (2012). Changes in marital and partner relationships in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: An analysis with low-income women. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 36(3), 286–300.
• Masten, A. S. (2021). Resilience of children in disasters: A multisystem perspective. Annual Review of Psychology, 72, 201–226.
• McCubbin, H. I., ve Patterson, J. M. (1983). The family stress process: The Double ABCX model of adjustment and adaptation. Marriage ve Family Review, 6(1–2), 7–37.
• Minuchin, S. (1974). Families and family therapy. Harvard University Press.
• Nowell, L. S., Norris, J. M., White, D. E., ve Moules, N. J. (2017). Thematic analysis: Striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16(1), 1609406917733847.
• Özgen, N. (2025). Kahramanmaraş depremi bağlamında aile içi iletişim dinamiklerinin incelenmesi. Türk Deprem Araştırma Dergisi, 7(2), 211–224.
• Rezaei, M. A., ve Mohammadinia, N. (2025). The role of society and family in adolescents’ disaster resilience: A qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 25, 22197.
• Satici, B., Erus, S. M., Benzer, F. M., Deniz, M. E., Tekgül, N., ve Satici, S. A. (2025). Bereavement and resilience in earthquake affected individuals: Serial mediation through psychological distress and hope. Psychiatric Quarterly, 1–14.
• Setiawan, I. M., ve Setiyawati, D. (2025). Family functioning and post-traumatic growth among disaster survivors: The mediation role of hope. Humanitas: Indonesian Psychological Journal, 22(1), 13–30.
• Sipahioğlu, B. Ö. (2024). Göç ve afet ilişkisi: Deprem göçü. Akademik Yaklaşımlar Dergisi, 15(1, Deprem Özel Sayısı), 292–313.
• T.C. Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı Strateji Geliştirme Başkanlığı. (2024). Geleceğin inşası: Eğitim 2002–2024. Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı.
• Tang, B., Deng, Q., Glik, D., Dong, J., ve Zhang, L. (2017). A meta-analysis of risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults and children after earthquakes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(12), 1537.
• Taşdelen-Karçkay, A., Alkan, D., ve Toprak, B. (2023). Doğal afet bağlamında aile sistemi: Aile ilişkileri, risk ve koruyucu faktörler. Aile Psikolojik Danışmanlığı Dergisi, 6(2), 75–96.
• Tekin, S., Burrows, K., Billings, J., Waters, M., ve Lowe, S. R. (2023). Psychosocial resources underlying disaster survivors’ posttraumatic stress symptom trajectories: Insights from in-depth interviews with mothers who survived Hurricane Katrina. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 14(2), 2211355.
• Tekin Babuç, Z., ve Gökçe, A. (2024). 6 Şubat deprem afetinin aile ve sosyal ilişkilere etkisi üzerine nitel bir analiz. Uluslararası Anadolu Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 8(3), 789–813.
• Toper, F., Yanardağ, R., Koca, M., ve Baydar, V. (2025). Post-traumatic growth in university students after earthquakes: The effect of perceived social support and psychological resilience. Behavioral Sciences, 15(9), 1178.
• Walsh, F. (2003). Family resilience: A framework for clinical practice. Family Process, 42(1), 1–18.
• Williamson, H. C., Bradbury, T. N., ve Karney, B. R. (2021). Experiencing a natural disaster temporarily boosts relationship satisfaction in newlywed couples. Psychological Science, 32(11), 1709–1719.
• Witting, A. B., Bagley, L. A., Nelson, K., ve Lindsay, T. (2021). Natural disasters and the relational study of the family: A 2-decade scoping review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 52, 101990.
• Yıldırım, S. (2023). 6 Şubat Kahramanmaraş depreminin psikososyal etkisi ve depremzedelere yönelik sürdürülebilir müdahalenin önemi üzerine bir gözlem araştırması. Anasay, (24), 133–153.