Determination of disaster awareness levels of social workers in the context of the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes

This research was conducted using a mixed-method approach to determine the level of disaster awareness among social service specialists working in public institutions and civil society organisations in Türkiye and to analyse social service practices in the context of the 6 February 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. In the study, where the convergent parallel design was adopted, the quantitative dimension of the research was conducted with data obtained from 391 social workers working throughout Türkiye. In the qualitative dimension of the research, in-depth interviews were conducted with 19 social workers who actively worked in the field during the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. Quantitative data were collected online via Google Forms using the "Personal Information Form" and "Disaster Awareness Scale"; SPSS 25 program was used in the analysis process. Independent Sample t Test, ANOVA, Bonferroni Post Hoc and Pearson Correlation analyses were applied. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and subjected to thematic and content analysis using the MAXQDA 2022 program. According to the research findings, the general disaster awareness level of social workers was found to be high. Disaster Education Awareness, Pre-Disaster Awareness and False Disaster Awareness levels are high, while Post-Disaster Awareness is at a medium level. It has been determined that these levels differ according to various variables. Qualitative findings are grouped under four main themes under the titles of disaster awareness, social work education in disasters, experience of the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and other (social work supervision and medical first aid training in disasters). Social workers stated that they worked most intensively in micro-level practices such as psychosocial support, social assistance and counseling during the intervention process of the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. They also emphasized that they used the role of "connection maker" intensively in this process. Lack of supervision in services in the disaster area caused increased emotional burden, decision-making difficulties and the risk of secondary trauma; it was observed that social workers worked in an intervention environment devoid of professional support. The results of the research reveal the need for disaster-focused, systematic and practical reform in social work education and practices. It is recommended that disaster-based practical courses be made compulsory in social work departments, experienced academics be included in the process, medical first aid training be disseminated, and institutional supervision systems be established during disaster periods.