The examination of the relationships between the levels of perceived social support, hopelessness, and the grieving processes of adult individuals who lost family members in an earthquake

This study examines the relationship between the hopelessness levels and grief processes of adult individuals who lost family members in the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on February 6, 2023, and their perceived levels of social support. The main problem of the study is to determine the effects of post-earthquake losses on individuals' hopelessness and grief processes and to investigate how these processes interact with social support mechanisms. The aim of the research is to reveal the complex relationships between hopelessness levels, grief processes, and social support. A quantitative research method was used as the research model. The sample of the study consists of 150 adult individuals who lost family members in the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes and voluntarily participated in this study. Beck Hopelessness Scale, Basic Grief Elements Inventory, and Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale were used as data collection tools. The findings show that post-earthquake social support mechanisms have a significant effect on hopelessness and grief processes. It was found that individuals with high levels of social support managed their hopelessness and grief processes better. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the critical role of social support mechanisms on individuals' psychosocial well-being after an earthquake. The study provides important information for understanding and alleviating the psychosocial difficulties experienced by earthquake survivors and for developing effective social support strategies.