Religious and sociological reflections of Kahramanmaraş earthquake: A study on earthquake victims settled in Zonguldak

The primary objective of this study is to reveal the sociological and religious effects of the earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023, centered in Kahramanmaraş and described as the "disaster of the century," on individuals living in Zonguldak province. The social reflections and religious coping strategies experienced by individuals in three stages-before, during, and after the earthquake-were examined. The study aims to understand the effects of natural disasters on individuals' belief systems and to evaluate the role this process plays in terms of social cohesion, solidarity, and psychological recovery. A qualitative research design was adopted in the study, and specifically, a phenomenological (phenomenology) method was used. The study group was selected through purposive sampling from individuals living in Zonguldak who had experienced the earthquake directly or indirectly. A semi-structured interview form was used as the data collection tool. The interviews were conducted face-to-face, audio recordings were made, and written transcripts were created. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. The collected data were evaluated through descriptive and thematic analysis. The coding process was carried out by the researcher, and the codes obtained were combined under themes and interpreted. Participant views were supported by direct quotations and reported in accordance with qualitative data analysis principles. In the analysis process, participant approval, peer review, and expert opinion were obtained to ensure the internal consistency of the study in terms of validity and reliability. The research findings reveal that the earthquake had serious effects not only on a physical level but also on a spiritual and social level. The vast majority of participants stated that their religious beliefs were an important source of support in coping with the feelings of fear, loss, and uncertainty they experienced. Religion played a supportive role in mechanisms such as psychological resilience, meaning production, preservation of hope, and social solidarity in individuals after the disaster. In line with the findings of this study, it has been observed that destructive disasters such as earthquakes do not only result in physical losses but also leave deep effects on the psychological and sociological structures of individuals. In particular, it has been determined that religious beliefs and practices play an important role in coping processes after disasters. In this context, various recommendations are presented: First, elements that take into account the religious and spiritual needs of individuals should be integrated into the psychosocial support services provided after disasters. Considering that religious references play an important role in filling the void of meaning experienced by individuals during times of crisis, it is important to establish interdisciplinary teams in which psychologists, social service specialists, and members of the religious community working in the disaster area can work together. Second, institutions and organizations providing religious services, particularly the Presidency of Religious Affairs, should play a more active role in the post-disaster process and organize spiritual guidance services. In this context, in-service training should be provided to religious officials who will serve in disaster areas on crisis management, trauma psychology, and post-disaster religious coping mechanisms. Third, universities should encourage more research and thesis work at the graduate level in interdisciplinary fields such as disaster sociology, religious psychology, and spiritual counseling during times of crisis. This is because the post-disaster recovery process is only possible through technical assistance as well as social solidarity, hope, and the construction of meaning. Religion should not be neglected, as it plays an effective role in this construction of meaning. Finally, it is recommended that local governments include social resilience development programs tailored to the socio-cultural and religious structure of the community in their disaster preparedness processes, rather than focusing solely on infrastructure and physical risk reduction strategies. This will accelerate the recovery process of individuals after disasters and preserve the psychosocial integrity of the community.