TR
EN
6 February 2023 Türkiye earthquakes: Trauma response and recovery
Abstract
The present study examines the experiences of individuals affected by the 2023 earthquake in Turkey, covering the two-year period following the disaster. The present study employed narrative inquiry, a qualitative research design. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 participants (M=32.62, SD=10.9) whose ages ranged from 22 to 68 and who resided in the designated earthquake zone during the 6 February 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake. Thematic and narrative analysis methods were utilised in the subsequent analysis of the interviews. The findings demonstrate that, in the aftermath of the earthquake, individuals experienced a multitude of non-normative life events in succession. In this regard, the subjects experienced intense trauma responses and feelings of fear and anger, as well as hyperarousal and reactivity, from the acute phase of the disaster until two years later. The most frequently employed coping mechanism in the acute phase following the earthquake was 'solidarity'. The relocation of many individuals whose residences were destroyed to containers or areas outside the disaster zone has affected their sense of community belonging. While some participants continued to exhibit symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), they also demonstrated post-traumatic growth. The findings were discussed within the framework of the relevant literature, and recommendations were made for researchers.
Keywords
Kaynakça
- Alessi, E. J., & Kahn, S. (2023). Toward a trauma-informed qualitative research approach: Guidelines for ensuring the safety and promoting the resilience of research participants. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 20(1), 121–154.
- American Psychiatric Association (2013). Ruhsal bozuklukların tanısal ve sayımsal elkitabı (Beşinci Basım). Çev. Ed. E.Köroğlu. Ankara: Hekimler Yayın Birliği.
- Bailey, C. A. (2007). A guide to qualitative field research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.
- Bakir, A., & Avci, Ö. H. (2025). Forbidden love, gender, and domestic violence: Women college students' experience during COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of College Student Development, 66(1), 85-101. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2025.a951530
- Bakır, A., & Avcı, Ö. H. (2023, April). The Cultural Closet: Masculinity Tested by Sexuality in Turkey. In ICGR 2023, the 6th International Conference on Gender Research. Academic Conferences and Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.34190/icgr.6.1.1024
- Basoglu, M., Kılıç, C., Şalcıoğlu, E., & Livanou, M. (2004). Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid depression in earthquake survivors in Türkiye: An epidemiological study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 17(2), 133–141. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOTS.0000022619.31615.e8
- Bauer, M. W. (1996). The narrative interview: Comments on a technique for qualitative data collection. Methodology Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science.
- Benevolenza, M. A., & DeRigne, L. (2019). The impact of climate change and natural disasters on vulnerable populations: A systematic review of literature. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 29(2), 266-281.
Ayrıntılar
Birincil Dil
İngilizce
Konular
Rehberlik ve Psikolojik Danışmanlık (Diğer)
Bölüm
Araştırma Makalesi
Yayımlanma Tarihi
31 Ocak 2026
Gönderilme Tarihi
1 Ağustos 2025
Kabul Tarihi
23 Ağustos 2025
Yayımlandığı Sayı
Yıl 2026 Sayı: 77