The relationship between earthquake stress coping strategies and personality traits of individuals who experienced the earthquake

The Relationship Between Earthquake Stress Coping Strategies and Personality Traits of Individuals Who Experienced the Earthquake Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationship between personality traits and post-earthquake coping strategies among individuals who experienced earthquakes. Method: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted in Adıyaman, Türkiye. Data were collected from 290 individuals selected through simple random sampling. The data collection tools included a "Demographic Information Form," the "Big Five Personality Traits Scale," and the "Post-Earthquake Coping Strategies Scale." Face-to-face interviews were conducted, and the data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 with descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses. Results: Of the participants, 50.3% were female, 62.4% were aged between 18 and 34, and 50.7% were married. Additionally, 51.7% experienced financial or property loss, and 48.6% had lost a family member due to the earthquake. The highest personality trait scores were found in conscientiousness (X̄=7.48), while the lowest were in neuroticism (X̄=6.04). Among the coping strategies, religious coping (X̄=17.14) and positive reappraisal (X̄=19.25) were at high levels, while seeking social support (X̄=12.67) was at a moderate level. Correlation analysis showed significant positive associations between traits such as extraversion, agreeableness, and openness to experience and positive coping strategies. Regression analysis revealed that agreeableness was a significant predictor of religious coping; neuroticism and openness were predictors of positive reappraisal; and extraversion and openness were predictors of seeking social support. Conclusion: The findings suggest that personality traits play a significant role in the selection and use of coping strategies after an earthquake. It is recommended that public health nurses consider personality structures when providing psychosocial support to individuals affected by disasters. Keywords: Coping strategies, Disaster psychology, Earthquake, Personality traits, Public health nursing