Prosocial behavior and resilience in generation Z in the context of disaster situations: The case of Ankara

Natural disasters are events that leave deep marks on societies and profoundly impact people's lives. In this context, understanding prosocial behavior and resilience approaches within Generation Z during disaster situations is crucial to revealing the effects of social solidarity and cooperation on younger generations. The aim of this study is to examine the prosocial behaviors of Generation Z during disaster situations and how these behaviors are shaped by national, religious, and psychosocial factors. The research was conducted using a qualitative method, with semi-structured interviews held with 30 participants aged 18-25 from Ankara's Generation Z. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed using content and discourse analysis techniques. The study thoroughly analyzed factors such as the relationship between Generation Z's tendencies toward altruism, national and religious identity construction, resilience, and perceptions of social support. The introduction of the study presents the topic, purpose, sub-objectives, importance, scope and limitations, validity and reliability, methodology, data collection and analysis, and the interview process. The first chapter addresses the conceptual framework, the second chapter interprets the findings, and the third chapter discusses the results. The findings show that Generation Z possesses a high level of altruistic awareness during disasters and integrates this consciousness with national and religious values, exhibiting prosocial behaviors. Religious beliefs are a significant source of motivation in acts of charity and solidarity. This study evaluated Generation Z's helping behaviors in terms of factors like national consciousness, religiosity, and resilience, and examined the role of demographic characteristics in these processes. Demographic variables such as gender and age shaped their motivation to help, with women being more empathy-oriented and emotional, while men acted with a sense of responsibility and national consciousness. Religiosity and the perception of social support emerged as key motivators for prosocial behaviors. This study aims to contribute to the development of future disaster management strategies by highlighting the critical role of Generation Z in disaster management and social solidarity. Moreover, it was observed that the altruism and cooperative attitudes developed by Generation Z within the framework of national and religious values reinforce the sense of social unity and cohesion.