20 years later: The 1999 Marmara earthquake revisited. Role of trauma and the power of family
Description
Background
1999 Marmara earthquake had catastrophic consequences. Over the past 20 years, in our continuous visits to the affected regions, our clinical observation was that, while some of the earthquake survivors still showed earthquake-related PTSD symptoms, others did not, and instead seemed to have overcome the earthquake trauma. Aim: This research project was conducted on the 20th anniversary of the 1999 earthquake, in order to examine the differences between those people who still show earthquake-related PTSD symptoms and those who seemed to have overcome the earthquake trauma. The main hypothesis was that people with a higher dose of traumatic experiences in their families would have lower resiliency levels and therefore show more PTSD symptoms, and vice versa.
Methods
The participants (N= 409) are the earthquake survivors who still reside in the affected region, in 5 distinct locations. The ACE Inventory, PCL-5, The Psychological Potential Inventory (Resilience-Short Form) and DBE Earthquake Trauma Scale were administered. Data was analyzed using correlation, t-tests, ANOVA and regression analyses.
Results
Individuals with higher ACE scores and lower resilience scores are significantly more affected by earthquake trauma (t=-11,235, p=,000) and have significantly higher PTSD symptoms (t=-11,788, p=,000) than individuals with lower ACE scores and higher resilience scores.
Conclusion
Along with higher PTSD scores, the impact of the earthquake trauma is greater in individuals with higher ACE scores, and lower in individuals with lower ACE scores, due to early traumatic experiences negatively affecting resilience.
1999 Marmara earthquake had catastrophic consequences. Over the past 20 years, in our continuous visits to the affected regions, our clinical observation was that, while some of the earthquake survivors still showed earthquake-related PTSD symptoms, others did not, and instead seemed to have overcome the earthquake trauma. Aim: This research project was conducted on the 20th anniversary of the 1999 earthquake, in order to examine the differences between those people who still show earthquake-related PTSD symptoms and those who seemed to have overcome the earthquake trauma. The main hypothesis was that people with a higher dose of traumatic experiences in their families would have lower resiliency levels and therefore show more PTSD symptoms, and vice versa.
Methods
The participants (N= 409) are the earthquake survivors who still reside in the affected region, in 5 distinct locations. The ACE Inventory, PCL-5, The Psychological Potential Inventory (Resilience-Short Form) and DBE Earthquake Trauma Scale were administered. Data was analyzed using correlation, t-tests, ANOVA and regression analyses.
Results
Individuals with higher ACE scores and lower resilience scores are significantly more affected by earthquake trauma (t=-11,235, p=,000) and have significantly higher PTSD symptoms (t=-11,788, p=,000) than individuals with lower ACE scores and higher resilience scores.
Conclusion
Along with higher PTSD scores, the impact of the earthquake trauma is greater in individuals with higher ACE scores, and lower in individuals with lower ACE scores, due to early traumatic experiences negatively affecting resilience.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Konuk, E., Zeynep, Z., Onder, K., & Asena, Y. (2021, June). 20 years later: The 1999 Marmara earthquake revisited. Role of trauma and the power of family. Presentation at the EMDR Europe Association Conference, Virtual
Citation
“20 years later: The 1999 Marmara earthquake revisited. Role of trauma and the power of family,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 2, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/26942.