Secondary Traumatic Stress and Music Activity Preferences After The 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake

Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationship between secondary traumatic stress (STS) related to social media content about the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake and the music activity preferences (e.g., listening, playing, singing) of education faculty students. Modifying music consumption is explored as a potential emotion regulation strategy associated with coping with vicarious trauma. Method: A quantitative correlational screening model was employed. The study group consisted of 278 undergraduate education faculty students in Türkiye. Data were collected during the 2022-2023 Spring Semester using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale for Social Media Users and a researcher-developed Music Activities Preference Form. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and Chi-square tests. Findings: Students who changed their music preferences post-earthquake exhibited significantly higher STS scores compared to those who did not (p<0.001, Cohen's d=0.49). Significant associations were found between pre- and post-earthquake music genres (p<0.001, Cramer's V=0.60) , as well as the emotional characteristics of the melodic (p<0.001, Cramer's V=0.40) and lyrical structures (p<0.001, Cramer's V=0.41). Notably, participants shifted from preferring sad emotional characteristics to joyful ones post-earthquake. Conclusion: The study successfully established a significant relationship between social media-induced STS and changes in music preferences. These behavioral shifts may reflect an active coping mechanism for emotional self-regulation. Recognizing such changes could provide university counseling centers and educators with potential indicators to better support student well-being following collective traumas.