Investigating on depression, anxiety and stress in disaster area workers

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 12 Sayı: 4, 546 - 554, 01.01.2026

Tayfun Başer , Mustafa Saygın

Öz

Introduction and Purpose: Mental events such as depression, in which motives such as sadness, loneliness, anorexia, hiding and suicidal impulses come to life, anxiety, which is an emotional and sensory event that affects physiological mechanisms and develops in anticipation of the recurrence of certain threats, and stress, which is the reaction to negativities as a result of not meeting people's wishes, reduce the quality of life even under normal living conditions. In addition to depression and anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder can be the cause of many diseases in disasters that affect all or certain segments of societies outside of routine life. The aim of this study was to examine the depression, anxiety and stress levels of those working in the disaster area.
Material and Method: In this analytical cross-sectional study, groups were formed with sociodemographic questions. On the other hand, depression, anxiety and stress scales were used to score 200 (two hundred) people who had personally worked in the earthquakes centered in Pazarcik (7.7) and Elbistan (7.6), the districts of Kahramanmaras on February 06, 2023.
Results: Across gender groups, women had higher depression, anxiety and stress scores than men. These scores increased with decreasing education level. Depression, anxiety and stress scores were lower in the groups who practiced sports every day, whereas these scores were higher in the alcohol and other addiction groups.
Conclusion: Age, gender, addiction and sports factors affect depression, anxiety and stress in times of crisis such as disasters that affect the whole or certain segments of the society. Therefore, psychological therapy programs should be created by taking demographic structures into consideration.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Disaster , Anxiety , DASS-21 , Depression , Stress

Afet bölgesinde görev alanların depresyon, anksiyete ve stresleri üzerine araştırma

Öz

Giriş ve Amaç: Üzüntü, yalnızlık, iştahsızlık, saklanma ve intihar gibi güdülerin canlandığı depresyon, fizyolojik mekanizmaları etkileyen, bazı tehditlerin tekrar edeceğine dair gelişen duygusal ve duyusal olay anksiyete ve kişilerin isteklerinin karşılanmaması sonucu olumsuzluklara karşı verilen tepki olan stres gibi ruhsal olaylar normal yaşam koşullarında bile hayat kalitesini düşürmektedir. Rutin yaşam dışında toplumların tamamını veya belli kesimini etkileyen afetlerde depresyon ve anksiyetenin yanı sıra post-travmatik stres bozukluğu birçok hastalığın nedeni olabilmektedir. Bu çalışmada afet bölgesinde görev alanların depresyon, anksiyete ve stres durumlarının incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Analitik-kesitsel nitelikteki araştırmada sosyodemografik sorularla gruplar oluşturuldu. Diğer taraftan 06 Şubat 2023 tarihinde Kahramanmaraş’ın ilçeleri olan Pazarcık (7,7) ve Elbistan (7,6) merkezli depremlerde bizzat çalışmış 200 (iki yüz) kişinin katılımıyla gerçekleştirilen çalışma için depresyon, anksiyete ve stres ölçeği kullanılarak skorlamalar yapıldı.
Bulgular: Cinsiyet gruplarında kadınların depresyon, anksiyete ve stres skorları erkeklere göre yüksekti. Eğitim düzeyinin azalmasıyla söz konusu skorlarda artış tespit edildi. Her gün spor yapan gruplarda depresyon, anksiyete ve stres skorları düşük olarak hesaplanırken, alkol ve diğer bağımlılık gruplarında bu skorlar yüksekti.
Sonuç: Afetler gibi toplumun tamamını veya belli kesimini etkileyen kriz zamanlarında yaş, cinsiyet, bağımlılık ve spor faktörleri depresyon, anksiyete ve stres üzerine etki etmektedir. Dolayısıyla demografik yapılar göz önünde bulundurularak psikolojik terapi programları oluşturulmalıdır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Afet , Anksiyete , DASS-21 , Depresyon , Stres

Kaynakça

• Ayhan, C. H., Tanhan, F., Aktaş, M. C., & Yildiz, E. (2024). The Relation between Chronotype , Depression , Anxiety , Stress , Internet Addiction and Academic Achievement in University Students. Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 21(3), 1005–1023. https://doi.org/10.33711/yyuefd.1541823
• Berk, Y., Kaplan, A., & Ağaoğlu, S. A. (2018). An Analysis Of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Levels of University Students Who Do Sports And Do Not. European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science, 4(2), 70–78. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1184665
• Boden, J. M., & Fergusson, D. M. (2011). Alcohol and depression. Addiction, 106(5), 906–914. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03351.x
• Chen, J., Yu, J., Li, X., & Zhang, J. (2015). Genetic and environmental contributions to anxiety among Chinese children and adolescents - A multi-informant twin study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 56(5), 586–594. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12310
• Cladder-Micus, M. B., Speckens, A. E. M., Vrijsen, J. N., T. Donders, A. R., Becker, E. S., & Spijker, J. (2018). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for patients with chronic, treatment-resistant depression: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Depression and Anxiety, 35(10), 914–924. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22788
• Cushway, D. (1992). Stress in clinical psychology trainees. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 31(2), 169–179.
• Dean, E. (2016). Anxiety. Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain), 30(46), 1. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.497/full
• Dietz, L. J. (2020). Family-based interpersonal psychotherapy: An intervention for preadolescent depression. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 73(1), 22–28. https://doi.org/10.1176/APPI.PSYCHOTHERAPY.20190028 Dragoş, D., & Tǎnǎsescu, M. D. (2010). The effect of stress on the defense systems. Journal of Medicine and Life, 3(1), 10–18.
• Farhane-Medina, N. Z., Luque, B., Tabernero, C., & Castillo-Mayén, R. (2022). Factors associated with gender and sex differences in anxiety prevalence and comorbidity: A systematic review. Science Progress, 105(4), 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1177/00368504221135469
• Feightner, J. W., & Worrall, G. (1990). Early detection of depression by primary care physicians. Cmaj, 142(11), 1215–1220.
• Gaebel, W., Stricker, J., & Kerst, A. (2020). Changes from ICD-10 to ICD-11 and future directions in psychiatric classification. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 22(1), 7–15. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.1/wgaebel
• Gao, W., Ping, S., & Liu, X. (2020). Gender differences in depression, anxiety, and stress among college students: A longitudinal study from China. Journal of Affective Disorders, 263, 292–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.121
• Gross, C., & Hen, R. (2004). Genetic and environmental factors interact to influence anxiety. Neurotoxicity Research, 6(6), 493–501. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03033286
• Haefner, J., Daly, M., & Russell, S. (2017). Assessing depression in the primary care setting. Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice, 10(1), 28–37. https://doi.org/10.1891/2380-9418.10.1.28
• Haley, W. E., & Freeman. (2018). Evidence-Base Update of Psychosocial Treatments for Child and Adolescent Depression. Physiology & Behavior, 176(1), 139–148. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2016.1220310.Evidence-Base
• Hauenstein, E. J. (2003). Depression in adolescence. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing : JOGNN / NAACOG, 32(2), 239–248. https://doi.org/10.1177/0884217503252133
• Jorm, A. F. (2000). Does old age reduce the risk of anxiety and depression? A review of epidemiological studies across the adult life span. Psychological Medicine, 30(1), 11–22. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291799001452
• Kessing, L. V. (2007). Epidemiology of subtypes of depression. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 115(SUPPL. 433), 85–89. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2007.00966.x
• Kirkpatrick, H., & Heller, G. (2014). Post-traumatic stress disorder: Theory and treatment update. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 47(4), 337–346. https://doi.org/10.2190/PM.47.4.h
• Li, J., Theng, Y. L., & Foo, S. (2015). Depression and Psychosocial Risk Factors among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Singapore. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 30(4), 409–422. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-015-9272-y
• Lopez, R., Barateau, L., Evangelista, E., & Dauvilliers, Y. (2017). Depression and Hypersomnia: A Complex Association. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 12(3), 395–405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2017.03.016
• Lovibond, P., & Lovibond, S. (1995). The Structure of Negative Emotional States: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) With the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behav. Res. Ther., 33(3), 335–343. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02511245
• Marthoenis, M., Syukri, M., Abdullah, A., Tandi, T. M. R., Putra, N., Laura, H., Setiawan, A., Sofyan, H., & Schouler-Ocak, M. (2021). Quality of life, depression, and anxiety of patients undergoing hemodialysis: Significant role of acceptance of the illness. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 56(1), 40–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091217420913382
• Marwood, L., Wise, T., Perkins, A. M., & Cleare, A. J. (2018). Meta-analyses of the neural mechanisms and predictors of response to psychotherapy in depression and anxiety. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 95(March), 61–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.09.022
• McEwen, B. S. (2006). Protective and damaging effects of stress mediators: Central role of the brain. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 8(4), 367–381. https://doi.org/10.31887/dcns.2006.8.4/bmcewen
• Meier, J. K., Weymar, M., & Schwabe, L. (2020). Stress alters the neural context for building new memories. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 32(12), 2226–2240. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_01613
• Memic-Serdarevic, A., Lepuzanovic, M., Sulejmanpasic, G., Hajric, S. S., Bajramagic, N., & Djozic, E. (2022). Psychological Consequences of COVID-19 on Health Care Workers. Materia Socio-Medica, 34(4), 254–259. https://doi.org/10.5455/msm.2022.34.254-259
• O’Connor, C. M. (2018). Depression in Heart Failure: Beyond a SADHART. JACC: Heart Failure, 6(10), 885–886. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchf.2018.08.004
• Özkan, B., & Çetinkaya Kutun, F. (2021). Afet psikolojisi. Sağlık Akademisyenleri Dergisi, 8(3), 249–256. Rackley, S., & Bostwick, J. M. (2012). Depression in medically ill patients. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 35(1), 231–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2011.11.001
• Rakel, R. E. (1999). Depression. Primary Care - Clinics in Office Practice, 26(2), 211–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0095-4543(08)70003-4
• Regehr, C., LeBlanc, V., Jelley, R. B., Barath, I., & Daciuk, J. (2007). Previous trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms as predictors of subjective and biological response to stress. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 52(10), 675–683. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370705201008
• Schuckit, M. A. (1996). Alcohol, anxiety, and depressive disorders. Alcohol Research and Health, 20(2), 81–85. Smith, D. G., Ross, A., HogenEsch, E., Okine, R., Bonus, M. L., Feinberg, E. C., & Bernardi, L. A. (2023). Anxiety, attitudes, and education about fertility among medical students in the United States. BMC Medical Education, 23(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04075-w
• Tanaka, M. (1999). Emotional stress and characteristics of brain noradrenaline release in the rat. Industrial Health, 37(2), 143–156. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.37.143
• Thayer, J. F., Åhs, F., Fredrikson, M., Sollers, J. J., & Wager, T. D. (2012). A meta-analysis of heart rate variability and neuroimaging studies: Implications for heart rate variability as a marker of stress and health. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 36(2), 747–756. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2011.11.009
• Ursin, H., & Eriksen, H. R. (2004). The cognitive activation theory of stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 29(5), 567–592. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0306-4530(03)00091-X
• Wolgensinger, L. (2015). Cognitive behavioral group therapy for anxiety: Recent developments. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 17(3), 347–351. https://doi.org/10.31887/dcns.2015.17.3/lwolgensinger
• Yamanishi, K., Doe, N., Mukai, K., Hashimoto, T., Gamachi, N., Hata, M., Watanabe, Y., Yamanishi, C., Yagi, H., Okamura, H., & Matsunaga, H. (2022). Acute stress induces severe neural inflammation and overactivation of glucocorticoid signaling in interleukin-18-deficient mice. Translational Psychiatry, 12(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-02175-7
• Yılmaz, Ö., Boz, H., & Arslan, A. (2017). Depresyon Anksiyete Stres Ölçeğinin (DASS-21) Türkçe Kısa Formunun Geçerlilik-Güvenilirlik Çalışması. Finans Ekonomi ve Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 2(2), 78–91.
• Yun, S., Reynolds, R. P., Masiulis, I., Eisch, A. J., Vanelzakker, M. B., Shin, L. M., Stanley, B., Brown, G. K., Quadrato, G., Brown, J., Arlotta, P., Pitman, R. K., Rasmusson, A. M., Koenen, K. C., Shin, L. M., Scott, P., Gilbertson, M. W., Milad, M. R., Liberzon, I., … Horga, G. (2016). Biological Studies of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Roger. Nature Medicine, 22(11), 256–264. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3339.Biological