Posttraumatic stress disorder in the aftermath of the Turkey earthquake: exploring the role of demographics, level of exposure, and personality traits

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an important mental disorder that can develop after mass traumas such as earthquakes. In our study, we aimed to investigate the development of PTSD after the Turkey earthquake (6 February 2023) and its association with some demographic variables, personality traits, and psychological vulnerability.

Method

547 participants completed assessments of personality, disaster exposure, and PTSD symptoms. Multiple regression analyses were used to identify predictors of PTSD symptoms.

Results

PTSD scores were higher in women, single people, those with low educational level, those who witnessed someone else's injury or death, those who were injured, and those whose homes were destroyed. Physical injury, conscientiousness, marital status, income, and agreeableness predicted PTSD. Among these variables, physical injury was the strongest predictor of PTSD.

Conclusions

Psychological vulnerability, conscientiousness, physical injury, employment, witnessing someone else's injury, gender, and emotional stability predicted PTSD score in a significant way. Physical injury, conscientiousness, marital status, income, agreeableness predicted PTSD in a significant way.

KEYWORDS:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• psychological vulnerability
• personality
• earthquake

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The dataset generated during the current study is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethical statement

All participants included in the study were provided with a consent form after being informed by the researchers. The ethics committee approval for this study was obtained from the Sivas Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine Non-Interventional Ethics Committee (2023-03/53).

Disclosure of generative AI in scientific writing

During the preparation of this work the author(s) used ChatGPT 3.5 in order to improve readability and language. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the publication.