Investigation of Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Life Satisfaction Among Individuals Living in Post-Earthquake Container Settlements: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: This study explored the relationship between life satisfaction and healthy lifestyle behaviors among residents of Kahramanmaraş Umut Kent Container City between January and April 2024. Material and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 353 adults affected by the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake and residing in temporary container housing. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using the Personal Information Form, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II, and the Life Satisfaction Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and linear regression analyses were performed, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The results showed that participants' life satisfaction was positively correlated with healthy lifestyle behaviors such as health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relationships, and stress management. However, no significant differences were found between healthy lifestyle behaviors and life satisfaction based on housing damage, loss of relatives, or difficulties in accessing post-earthquake needs. Nevertheless, it was found that participants who had access to their needs and received their rights postearthquake had higher life satisfaction scores. Conclusion: The study concludes that material and emotional losses have significant impacts on life satisfaction, but healthy lifestyle behaviors are relatively less affected by these circumstances. The findings highlight the need to develop strategies that enhance life satisfaction, particularly in the aftermath of disasters. In this context, future studies should examine long-term effects with larger sample groups