The Effect of Media Exposure of the 2023 Kahramanmaras Earthquake on Traumatic Stress

Abstract

Studies dealing with secondary exposure to a particular stressor have concluded that participants exhibit high rates of secondary traumatic stress symptoms. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of media exposure to the 6th February Kahramanmaras Earthquake on traumatic stress symptoms. 182 physicians and medical school students who accessed online platforms were included in the study, and data were collected using self-report forms. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Impact of Events Scale (IES) were used as assessment instruments. According to data analysis, 64.3% of the participants were female (n=117) and 35.7% were male (n=65). The mean age was 28.1±6.2. 57.1% of the participants reported being exposed to news or images about the event through television or social media for more than 12 hours a week, 14.3% for 4-12 hours, 28.6% for less than 4 hours. The study concluded that 46.2% of the participants experienced traumatic symptoms. A significant positive correlation was found between the trauma scores of the participants and their levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Both exposure to traumatic images for more than 12 hours a week and having a relative injured in the earthquake may be associated with secondary traumatic stress. Future studies are needed to elucidate the effect of exposure to traumatic images through media on traumatic stress.

Keywords

• traumatic stress
• media exposure
• earthquake

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