Examination of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and post-traumatic growth levels in adults who experienced the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquake

This study aims to examine the levels of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS) and Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) among adult individuals who experienced the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on February 6, 2023, and to investigate the relationship between these two variables and various sociodemographic characteristics. The study utilized the PTSS-Short Scale, the PTG Scale, and a personal information form prepared by the researcher. The sample of the study consists of 432 adult individuals residing in container settlements in the Dulkadiroğlu district of Kahramanmaraş province. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0 software. Among the participants, 286 (66.2%) were female, and 146 (33.8%) were male. The study found no statistically significant relationship (p > 0.05) between PTSS levels and the total scale scores of PTG levels, as well as the subscales Changes in SelfPerception and Changes in Relationships with Others. However, a positive but lowlevel significant relationship (r = .170; p < 0.05) was identified between PTSS levels and the Changes in Life Philosophy subscale of the PTG scale. It was observed that PTG levels differed significantly based on gender, educational status, presence of a chronic physical illness, migration status after the earthquake, receiving professional psychological support after the earthquake, and previous experiences of traumatic events. On the other hand, PTSS levels were found to vary depending on gender, monthly income, prior psychiatric diagnosis, presence of a physical illness, damage to housing during the earthquake, migration status after the earthquake, and previous traumatic experiences. The findings of this study were generally consistent with the literature. However, there is a need for broader studies with larger samples covering the entire earthquakeaffected region.