Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and the role of media witnessing after wildfires

Although recent studies have revealed the negative effects of wildfires on community mental health, there is still a need to investigate different locations, demographic and other predictor factors contexts. Especially considering the rapid spread of information through the media with the advancement of technology, the role of witnessing wildfires through the media in the possible development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression is an aspect of this issue that requires further exploration. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and predictors of PTSD and depression related to wildfires among residents of Muğla and Antalya, Türkiye, as well as to investigate the effects of witnessing wildfires through the media on PTSD and depression. The data of this cross-sectional study were collected through snowball sampling, reaching 388 target people living in Muğla-Antalya approximately 6–8 months after the wildfires. The mental status of the participants was evaluated through the National Stressful Events Survey-Short Scale for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Beck Depression Inventory. While the prevalence of likely PTSD due to wildfires was 13.7%, the prevalence of likely depression was 28.9%. Being female, having property damage, being a student and private sector personnel are important risk factors of possible PTSD and depression. These risk factors increase the risk of possible PTSD and depression by 2.5 to 8.7 times. Even witnessing wildfires through the media can lead to PTSD and depression. While PTSD resulting from direct witnessing in wildfires has a moderating effect on increasing the risk of depression, PTSD resulting from witnessing through media has a stronger effect on increasing the risk of depression. Wildfires cause problems in community mental health with the negative impact of risk factors. Witnessing wildfires through the media can lead to mental health problems more strongly than experiencing the event directly.