Trauma Experiences of Volunteers Involved in the 2023 Türkiye Earthquakes: A Qualitative Study Utilizing Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as a Theoretical Framework

In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the post-traumatic growth experiences of the volunteers involved in the management/intervention of a traumatic event such as an earthquake in terms of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. In the study, phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. Data were collected between April and May 2023. Data were collected from 12 people using a semistructured interview form. In the study, five themes and 26 categories were created. Compared to the preearthquake, it was evaluated that the participants performed behaviors that show post-traumatic growth, such as being unbiased, problem-solving oriented, being practical, acting sincerely, increasing the level of compassion, giving importance to personal development, tending to life-saving professions, and feeling self-respect. It can be evaluated that meeting the nutrition, sleep, shelter, social support needs of the people who will work or take part in the disaster area in a healthy way will contribute to posttraumatic growth.