Evaluation of Earthquake Survivors of the February 6 Turkey Earthquakes: The Mediating Role of Hopelessness in the Relationship Between Psychological Resilience and Posttraumatic Embitterment Symptoms

OBJECTIVE: Following the February 6 earthquakes, survivors faced intense psychological distress, including feelings of disappointment, perceived injustice, and anger-leading to adverse effects on their well-being. Although earthquakes are not human-induced, the abundance of human errors further exacerbated the situation. These outcomes may have triggered symptoms of Posttraumatic Embitterment Disorder (PTED) among survivors. The present study examined the mediating role of hopelessness in the relationship between this resilience and PTED symptoms among individuals who experienced the February 6 earthquakes. METHODS: This cross-sectional online study was conducted in Malatya, one of the severely affected regions, between July 20, 2023 and January 20, 2024. Participants completed the PTED Scale, the Psychological Resilience Scale, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and a sociodemographic form through an online survey. The data obtained were analyzed, and structural equation modeling was performed. RESULTS: The final sample included 801 participants (mean age=37.82±11.03 years), of whom 48.6% (n=389) exhibited PTED symptoms. Hopelessness was found to mediate the relationship between psychological resilience and embitterment. Together, psychological resilience and hopelessness accounted for 43.7% of the variance in embitterment (R²=0.437). CONCLUSION: PTED should be considered among the psychological outcomes of earthquakes. The findings highlight the therapeutic potential of hope-based interventions for PTED and underscore the importance of preventive measures targeting vulnerable populations in disaster-affected regions. Our findings can guide health authorities in structuring post-disaster mental health services and assist in developing health policies in this regard.