The relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth levels and psychological resilience and social support in individuals who experienced the February 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake

This study aims to investigate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) levels among adult individuals who experienced the earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6. The focus of the research is an in-depth analysis of the relationship between these factors and variables such as psychological resilience and social support. The PRocess Hayes method will be used in the analysis of the research. Various variables, such as gender, educational status, marital status, region and location during the earthquake, the condition of the building during the earthquake, loss of life, level of fear experienced during the earthquake, and being trapped under rubble, are considered important factors that may affect this relationship. The study was conducted with adults aged 18-65 who were in one of the earthquake-affected regions (Kahramanmaraş, Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, Şanlıurfa, Elazığ) during the February 6 earthquake. The research used the following tools: Informed Consent Form, Demographic Form, Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale Short Form, and Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory. The findings obtained from the application were analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) program following the research objectives. According to the results of the research, perceived social support mediated the relationship between PTSD and psychological resilience. Perceived social support also mediated the relationship between post-traumatic growth and psychological resilience. However, no significant relationship was found between PTSD and post-traumatic growth. The study found that psychological resilience and perceived social support were significantly related to both PTSD and post-traumatic growth. The findings of the research contribute to a better understanding of the psychological processes experienced after trauma and help identify the factors influencing these processes. Additionally, the findings provide important insights for the development of psychosocial interventions for individuals in the post-trauma period. KEYWORDS: Earthquake, Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Psychological Resilience, Social Support, Trauma