Examining the relationship between post-earthquake trauma levels and earthquake awareness of university students: The case of Turkey

This study aims to examine university students' earthquake awareness levels and post-earthquake trauma levels and to evaluate the relationship between these variables. The main hypothesis of the study is that students' preparedness for earthquake and crisis can reduce traumatic effects. In the study, which was conducted using quantitative research methods, 451 university students studying across Turkey were reached. The data obtained from the participants determined by snowball sampling method were evaluated using the Sustainable Earthquake Awareness Scale and the Scale for Determining Post-Earthquake Trauma Levels. The findings of the study reveal that variables such as gender, age, grade level, earthquake experience, earthquake loss and volunteerism play a significant role on earthquake awareness and traumatic effects. Female participants reported higher levels of trauma compared to male participants. It was observed that women were more affected especially in terms of behavioral problems, emotional limitation, cognitive structure and sleep problems. In addition, the higher earthquake awareness levels of first-year students indicate that awareness-raising trainings can be effective especially in the first years of university. Although it was found that the earthquake awareness levels of the students who volunteered were higher, it was observed that this did not have a significant effect on their trauma levels. This study emphasizes that disaster management strategies should be developed at micro, mezzo and macro levels within the framework of social work discipline. Increasing individuals' access to psychosocial support mechanisms at the micro level, disseminating disaster awareness programs in universities at the mezzo level, and establishing sustainable disaster policies at the macro level are of great importance. Considering the fact that even students who are not disaster victims are potential disaster victims, the continuity of social awareness and education programs should be ensured. Ibn Khaldun's quote "Geography is destiny" reminds us that in countries with high earthquake risk like Turkey, disaster awareness should be considered not only as an individual but also as a social responsibility. Individuals should be encouraged to become not only aware but also conscious and prepared actors by ensuring a transition from earthquake awareness to earthquake consciousness and from earthquake consciousness to earthquake culture. By emphasizing that prosocial behaviors should be encouraged in the context of disaster management, the study shows that individuals have the responsibility to protect not only their own safety but also their communities. Continuity of education programs and encouragement of volunteering activities are of great importance for strengthening social resilience. In this context, university students should be enabled to assume effective roles not only in their own lives but also at the societal level.