The Effect of Traumatic Stress on Sleep and Attention in University Students who Experienced the 2023 Kahramanmaras Earthquake

Aim: The research was conducted to determine the post-traumatic stress of earthquake-affected medical students and to reveal the effects of this stress on sleep and attention. Methods: 458 earthquake-affected medical students were reached through Google Forms. Socio-demographic form, Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale, Richard-Cambell Sleep Scale and Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Self-Report Scale were administered to all participants. Results: According to the analysis results, it was observed that more than 80% of the students affected by the earthquake experienced moderate-severe and severe trauma. A statistically significant difference was observed when the students' sleep quality was compared according to traumatic stress situations (p=0.000). It was also observed that there was a relationship between students' traumatic stress situations and their likelihood of having attention deficit and hyperactivity (p=0.000). Conclusion: We believe that creating psychological and social awareness caused by the earthquake will be effective in minimizing possible negativities. In addition, since lack of sleep and attention caused by stress after the earthquake may negatively affect students studying medicine, precautions must be taken regarding course duration and methods.