The relationship between coping styles and posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic trauma level after Kahramanmaraş Earthquake

Earthquakes, like many other disasters, can cause loss of life, injuries, loss of home, loss of loved ones and unemployment. The prevalence rate of PTSD after natural disasters has been reported to be 10 to 15%. The aim of this study is to examine whether the level of post-earthquake trauma and post-traumatic growth and ways of coping with stress differ between individuals who directly and indirectly experienced the earthquake. In line with this purpose, the sample of the study consists of 33 people between the ages of 17-72 (Mean=38.0, SD=12.0) who were directly affected by the earthquakes with the epicentre of Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023 and 55 participants between the ages of 14-72 (Mean=39.0, SD=13.9) who did not experience an earthquake but were indirectly exposed to the effects of the earthquake through television and social media. Data were collected and analysed through Socio-Demographic Information Form, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Scale for Determining the Level of Post-Earthquake Trauma and Ways of Coping Scale. In our study, in accordance with the literature, it was determined that people who directly experienced the earthquake showed higher trauma levels than people who experienced it indirectly. Another finding in parallel with this is that helplessness scores were found to be higher in people who were directly exposed to the earthquake than those who were indirectly exposed to the earthquake. It is thought that the findings may provide useful information for practitioners to regulate the psychological effects of future earthquakes.