Place attachment of earthquake victims residing in Antakya (Hatay) after the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on February 6, 2023

Abstract People affected economically, environmentally, physically, and psychologically by the earthquake may be reluctant to move to safer and more comfortable places for various reasons. Investigating the factors that influence people’s place attachment after devastating earthquakes will enable the creation of sustainable communities and cultures. This study examined the impact of earthquake experience, preparedness, place-protective behavior, social support, insecurity, price increase, the surrounding environment, self-efficacy, and risk perception on place attachment among earthquake victims in Antakya following the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. Data were collected via surveys from 453 earthquake victims in the Antakya region of Hatay (Türkiye) province, one year after the earthquakes. Eleven ordered logistic regressions revealed the strength and direction of the factors affecting place attachment. Earthquake victims who were injured, lost relatives, were not evacuated, and were not disturbed by the rubble had higher place attachment. Earthquake preparedness, formal social support, post-earthquake insecurity, post-earthquake price increase, self-efficacy, and earthquake risk perception did not affect place attachment. Sustainability and place-protective behavior increased place attachment. Furthermore, place attachment was higher among men and those who lived longer in Antakya. This study is expected to guide managers, disaster experts, and non-governmental organizations who develop strategies to increase people's place attachment in disaster-affected regions.