Anxiety levels of Turkish survivors in the aftermath of the large-scale earthquake and subsequent feelings of hopelessness: a cross-sectional study

The study aimed to investigate the correlation between state anxiety levels and anticipated levels of hopelessness in the future of the Turkish earthquake victims. This study adopted a cross-sectional design. The sample comprised 215 individuals who were victims of the Kahramanmaraş earthquake on 6 February 2023. Participants were administered the State Anxiety Inventory and Beck Hopelessness Scale through face-to-face and online surveys. The relationship between the utilized scales was explored through Pearson correlation and linear regression (stepwise) analyses. The participants exhibited a high state-anxiety score, while their mean hopelessness score was medium. A weak positive correlation (<i>r</i> = 0.495; <i>p</i> < .05) was identified between the participants' total hopelessness score and state anxiety. The total variance in hopelessness level was accounted for by 25.3%, with state anxiety and experiencing entrapment under debris during the earthquake contributing (R² = 0.253). This study showed that higher levels of hopelessness among earthquake survivors were significantly associated with the experience of being trapped under debris during the earthquake and increased anxiety. Accordingly, this study suggests that policymakers and governments should consider implementing psychosocial support programs.