Examining post-traumatic growth levels of high school students in terms of psychological inflexibility, intolerance of uncertainty and experiential avoidance

This study examined the levels of post-traumatic growth (PTG) among high school students affected by the Kahramanmaraş earthquake on February 6, 2023, in relation to intolerance of uncertainty, experiential avoidance, psychological inflexibility, gender, and the loss of a loved one during the earthquake. The study sample consisted of 399 participants, including 225 females and 174 males. Data on participants' PTG levels were collected using the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Intolerance of uncertainty data was gathered using the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12), experiential avoidance levels were measured using the Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (MEAQ-30), and psychological inflexibility was assessed through the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II). Data analyses were conducted using Pearson Correlation Analysis and Independent Samples t-Test as part of the study's hypotheses. To analyze the mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty in the relationship between PTG and psychological inflexibility, a mediation model was employed. The findings revealed a negative relationship between PTG and the variables of intolerance of uncertainty and psychological inflexibility, while no statistically significant relationship was found between PTG and experiential avoidance. However, a positive and significant correlation was identified between intolerance of uncertainty and the variables of experiential avoidance and psychological inflexibility. No statistically significant relationship was observed between experiential avoidance and psychological inflexibility levels. Additionally, the mediation analysis indicated that intolerance of uncertainty had a partial mediating role in the relationship between PTG and psychological inflexibility. The findings also showed that PTG, intolerance of uncertainty, experiential avoidance, and psychological inflexibility levels significantly differed by gender. Male participants demonstrated higher levels of PTG, while female participants scored higher on intolerance of uncertainty, experiential avoidance, and psychological inflexibility. The participants' PTG, intolerance of uncertainty, psychological inflexibility, and experiential avoidance levels were also analyzed based on whether they had lost a loved one during the earthquake. Those who had lost a loved one exhibited higher psychological inflexibility, whereas no differences were observed in PTG, intolerance of uncertainty, or experiential avoidance based on the loss of a loved one. Keywords: Post-Traumatic Growth Intolerance of Uncertainty, Kahramanmaraş Earthquake, Psychological Inflexibility, , Experiential Avoidance