Descriptive analysis of PTSD, posttraumatic growth, and psychological resilience in adolescents 1 year after an earthquake: Identifying influencing factors.

Abstract

This descriptive, cross-sectional study aimed to determine posttraumatic growth (PTG), psychological resilience, and posttraumatic stress (PTS) levels in adolescents 1 year after the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake, and identify influencing factors. The sample consisted of 763 students from 24 public high schools in the severely affected province of Hatay, selected via stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, Child Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-13), Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and Adolescent Psychological Resilience Scale (APRS). Female students exhibited higher PTS symptoms than males (p < 0.05). Adolescents who lost a relative had higher CRIES-13 scores and lower APRS scores. Those who lost a friend also showed higher CRIES-13 scores (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between PTG and PTS (r = 0.210, p < 0.01). Positive linear relationships exist between posttraumatic growth, psychological resilience, and earthquake impact, highlighting complex post-trauma adaptation processes.