Relationship among post-quake traumatic stress, insomnia, and eating behaviour: analysis of directly and indirectly affected individuals from the Kahramanmaraş (Türkiye) earthquake

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between earthquake-related post-traumatic stress disorder, eating behaviours, and sleep disorders. Conducted online with 515 participants (80.2% female; mean age: 32.1 ± 14.0), it utilized a questionnaire including socio-demographics, PTSD-Short Scale (PTSD), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (measuring cognitive restraint-CR, uncontrolled eating-UE, emotional eating-EE, and hunger sensitivity-HS). 28.5% of the participants lived in the earthquake zone. The rate of destroyed house, losing a loved one, and injury were significantly higher in those with PTSD. A significant correlation was found between the ISI and PTSD scores (<i>r</i> = 0.509, <i>p</i> < 0.001). PTSD score (<i>β</i> = 0.162), age (<i>β</i>=-0.335), body mass index (<i>β</i> = 0.269), and body weight change (<i>β</i>=-0.179) significantly related the CR. ISI and PTSD scores were positively associated with UE and HS. PTSD triggers the occurrence of insomnia and maladaptive eating behaviours such as emotional or uncontrolled eating..