Impact of earthquake exposure, family adversity and peer problems on anxiety-related emotional disorders in adolescent survivors three years after the Ya'an earthquake

Earthquake From the Perspectives of Amputee Children and Their Parents/Caregivers: A Phenomenological Study

BACKGROUND

Earthquakes cause significant psychological and physical trauma in children, especially when leading to amputations, as they disrupt physical, emotional, and social well-being.

AIM

This study was conducted phenomenologically to explore the experiences of children amputated in the Kahramanmaraş earthquake and their parents/caregivers.

METHOD

This study was conducted as a phenomenological study with children who were amputated in the Kahramanmaraş earthquake and their parents/caregivers between August and October 2023. The sample of the study consisted of seven children and their parents/caregivers who met the inclusion criteria and volunteered to participate in the study through purposive sampling method. Data were collected through in-depth interviews using an introductory information form and a semistructured interview form developed by the researcher.

RESULTS

It was found that 57.2% of the children who participated in our study were male and their mean age was 11.25 ± 4.02 years. It was found that all the children's houses were destroyed in the earthquake, they were trapped under the debris, and they experienced losses in their family members and relatives. As a result of data analysis, nine themes were identified as apocalypse, pain, fear, and hopelessness for children and apocalypse, helplessness, pain, anger, and hopelessness for parents/caregivers.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that earthquake-affected amputee children perceived the earthquake as an apocalypse, experienced prolonged pain during hospitalization, continued to fear the earthquake, and felt hopeless about the future. The children's parents/caregivers also reported that they perceived the earthquake as an apocalypse, that they felt helpless and hopeless for themselves and the children, and that the children had angry/irritable behavior with pain after the disaster.

A cross-cultural analysis of spiritual transcendence and its impact on job satisfaction, job security, and life satisfaction in Bali and Türkiye: mediator effect of earthquake anxiety

Earthquakes are considered as a major factor causing PTSD, anxiety, and depression across various age groups. Increased anxiety stemming from earthquakes may prompt individuals to turn to spirituality as a coping mechanism, with spiritual transcendence believed to be an effective way to mitigate anxiety. In this study, Bali, which has a Far Eastern spiritual tradition, and Türkiye, the majority of whose population is Muslim, are discussed comparatively. In fact, the underlying reason for this choice is to examine whether there is a difference between Hindu belief, one of the Far Eastern religions as a spiritual tradition, and Islam, one of the monotheistic religions, regarding individuals' ability to manage anxiety and some basic psychological reactions to the fear of earthquakes. An example of Bali's Hindu tradition has been considered a representation of the Islamic tradition, one of the monotheistic religions in Türkiye. Given this phenomenon, the study took a quantitative approach, giving a novel conceptual framework for understanding the relationship between spiritual transcendence, seismic fear, job satisfaction, job security, life satisfaction, and the moderating influence of optimism. Empirical data were acquired via surveys issued via Google Form to a total of 913 workers in Bali and Türkiye. The research data were analyzed using SmartPLS software and a structural equation modeling technique. Findings indicate that earthquake anxiety and the impact of spiritual transcendence on satisfaction and job security are stronger in Bali than in Türkiye. Additionally, spirituality holds greater significance for the Balinese sample compared to the Turkish sample. The study clarifies the implications of its findings and provides guidance for future research endeavors.

Sleep quality and mental health differences following Syria-Turkey earthquakes: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

This study explores the lasting mental health impact of the Syria-Turkey earthquakes in 2023 on a population affected by conflict and trauma. It analyzes pre- and post-event mental health and sleep quality differences, identifying predictors of outcomes.

AIMS

Studying the 2023 Syria-Turkey earthquakes' enduring mental health impact on conflict-affected individuals, this research informs better support and interventions for disaster survivors.

METHODS

This longitudinal, cross-sectional study examined the enduring mental health impact of the Syria-Turkey earthquakes. The present study involved N = 1,413 Syrian survivors, aged 18 years or older, who actively participated by contributing both pre- and post-earthquake data. A meticulously designed digital questionnaire with established metrics assessed sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, and anxiety levels. Stratification variables (age, gender, education, marital status) were used for subgroup analysis. Arabic versions of PHQ-9, PSQI, and GAD-2 proved reliable for measuring depression, sleep quality, and anxiety.

RESULTS

The majority of participants were female (73.6%) with tertiary education (83.3%). Post-earthquake, a higher percentage reported poor sleep quality (67.7% vs. 59.7%, p < .001) and increased prevalence of MDE (66.1% vs. 56%, p < .001). GAD did not differ significantly. Post-earthquake, women had a higher likelihood of poor sleep quality (OR: 1.58, 95% CI [1.19, 2.10], p < .001) and MDE (OR: 1.55, 95% CI [1.18 to 2.04], p = .003). Predictors varied before and after earthquakes; age and education were significant predictors of poor sleep quality, MDE, and GAD.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals higher rates of poor sleep quality and major depressive episodes among earthquake-affected individuals, especially women. Age, education, and gender contribute to these outcomes. Targeted interventions and comprehensive mental health support are crucial for post-earthquake recovery.

Do dimensions of childhood adversity differ in their direct associations with youth psychopathology? A meta-analysis

Growing evidence supports the unique pathways by which threat and deprivation, two core dimensions of adversity, confer risk for youth psychopathology. However, the extent to which these dimensions differ in their direct associations with youth psychopathology remains unclear. The primary aim of this preregistered meta-analysis was to synthesize the associations between threat, deprivation, internalizing, externalizing, and trauma-specific psychopathology. Because threat is proposed to be directly linked with socioemotional development, we hypothesized that the magnitude of associations between threat and psychopathology would be larger than those with deprivation. We conducted a search for peer-reviewed articles in English using PubMed and PsycINFO databases through August 2022. Studies that assessed both threat and deprivation and used previously validated measures of youth psychopathology were included. One hundred and twenty-seven articles were included in the synthesis (N = 163,767). Results of our three-level meta-analyses indicated that adversity dimension significantly moderated the associations between adversity and psychopathology, such that the magnitude of effects for threat (r's = .21-26) were consistently larger than those for deprivation (r's = .16-.19). These differences were more pronounced when accounting for the threat-deprivation correlation. Additional significant moderators included emotional abuse and youth self-report of adversity. Findings are consistent with the Dimensional Model of Adversity and Psychopathology, with clinical, research, and policy implications.

Symptoms Description of Family Post Traumatic Stress Disorder of the Mount Merapi Eruption Disaster Victims during Covid19

BACKGROUND: Volcano disaster can cause psychological problems such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by a scary or frightening, unpleasant and challenging event or experience with physical abuse or threatened feeling. AIM: The purpose of this study was to describe the symptoms of PTSD experienced by families after the volcanic eruption disaster in Magelang Regency. METHODOLOGY: This research was conducted with a descriptive-analytic strategy. The research population was community aged 15–64 years, with a total of 574 people, and 86 respondents were selected as samples using a quota sampling technique. RESULTS: The results show that the majority of respondents experience symptoms of PTSD in the mild category as many as 60 respondents with a percentage of 68.9%. However, there are two respondents included in the severe category. The results of this study are expected to be the basis for the community and other institutions to pay attention to the symptoms of PTSD. CONCLUSION: Respondents who are categorized as experiencing weight PTSD symptoms are expected to conduct further examinations at health services immediately; therefore, PTSD can be handled.

Risk factors of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic: The roles of coping style and emotional regulation

BACKGROUND

When COVID-19 emerged in China in late 2019, most citizens were home-quarantined to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Extended periods of isolation have detrimental effects on an individual's mental health. Therefore, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic should include assessment of psychological distress and its known risk factors, including coping style and emotional regulation.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study surveyed 6,027 Chinese university students recruited from May 25, 2020 to June 10, 2020. In addition to sociodemographic information, participant data were collected using online versions of the 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ).

RESULTS

The incidence of psychological distress was found to be 35.34%. Negative coping style and expressing panic about COVID-19 on social media were the most important predictors of psychological distress. In addition, being male, being a "left-behind child" or having a monthly household income lower than 5000 CNY or higher than 20,000 CNY were associated with higher psychological distress.

CONCLUSION

The psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic could be serious. Psychological interventions that reduce nervousness and negative coping style need to be made available to home-quarantined university students, especially those who are male, are "left-behind", have a monthly household income lower than 5000 CNY or higher than 20,000 CNY, or express panic on social media.