A recent study conducted among survivors of the earthquakes that devastated the entire southeast of Turkey on 6 February 2023, leaving more than 53,000 people dead, reveals lingering psychological effects among the population that suffered from the earthquakes, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The study, reported by several media outlets in Turkey, was conducted in the provinces of Gaziantep, Adıyaman and Kahramanmaraş – the latter being the epicentre of the 2023 earthquakes – and shows that almost two years after the tragedy, both its social and mental consequences still persist among the population that survived the disaster.
Based on surveys among more than 1,200 inhabitants of the region and personal interviews with 365 earthquake survivors, the study, led by Professor Özlem Karaırmak and psychologist Ece Önder, reveals that 68% of the participants reported suffering from symptoms of depression, 65% experienced anxiety, and 44% showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The report also highlights other psychological consequences that earthquake survivors continue to suffer, such as stress generated by sensory memories of the earthquakes, sleeping disorders, or recurring memories of the disaster. More than a third of the participants said they needed urgent psychological support and 28% were pessimistic about their future, while 38% expressed a sense of hopelessness in the aftermath of the tragedy.
‘The 6 February earthquakes not only destroyed buildings, but also shattered lives and hopes,’ stressed Professor Karaırmak when speaking about the findings of the study. For Karaırmak, these results show the need for long-term psychological support for survivors, stressing the importance of maintaining strong family structures for better psychological recovery. Önder pointed to the disruption of family dynamics and the loss of symbolic urban landmarks as factors contributing to the prolongation of trauma among survivors.
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Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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