Examination of fatalism, social support, post traumatic stress and post traumatic growth levels of people who stayed in the region and migrated after February 2023 earthquake

In this study the aim was to examine the levels of fatalism, social support and post-traumatic stress, and growth of people who stayed in the region and migrated after experiencing the February 2023 earthquake. The sample of the research consists of 385 people aged 18-65 who directly experienced the earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023. Participants completed the Demographic Information Form, Free Will and Determinism Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and Impact of Events Scale Revised Form via online platforms using Google forms. A series of t-test analyses were conducted to identify demographic and earthquake-related variables that have an effect on the dependent variables. Based on the results of these analyses, the groups of individuals who migrated and those who stayed in the region were compared in terms of dependent variables using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for demographic and earthquake-related variables. According to the findings of the study, it was revealed that individuals who migrated after the earthquake had significantly higher scores on free will, perceived social support, and post-traumatic growth (PTG) compared to those who stayed in the region. Additionally, the participants who stayed in the region had significantly higher levels of fatalistic determinism and post-traumatic stress symptoms compared to those who migrated. The findings are discussed within the context of the existing literature.