The Impact of Turkey and Syria Earthquakes on University Students: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms, Meaning in Life, and Social Support

Abstract

(1) Background: Earthquakes are natural disasters that often result in significant loss of life and property. The objective of this study is to explore the frequency of symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), levels of meaning in life (ML), and perceived social support (SS) among university students in the aftermath of the earthquake that occurred in Turkey and Syria in 2023. (2) Methods: This study utilizes a cross-sectional correlation design to achieve its objectives among 603 university students from two public universities using an online survey (via Google Forms). The survey was launched one month after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria and concluded on 6 April 2023. (3) Results: The results indicate that a total of 158 university students, constituting 26.20% of the sample, reported extreme symptoms of PTSD. The results also indicate that 184 students (30.51), and 140 students (23.22%) reported low levels of ML and SS, respectively. Female students were significantly more vulnerable to experiencing PTSD symptoms, as well as difficulties in finding ML and SS. Finally, results revealed that students who were pursuing postgraduate studies had a greater likelihood of exhibiting symptoms indicative of PTSD. (4) Conclusions: It is recommended that universities provide support services and resources for students experiencing PTSD symptoms.

Gratitude practice helps undergraduates who experienced an earthquake in China find meaning in life

“…The implications of this finding are particularly significant for university students who have experienced traumatic events such as earthquakes, which can deeply disrupt their sense of meaning and purpose in life 1 . However, our study highlights gratitude as a potential protective factor that can enhance students’ perception of MIL even in adversity 7 .…”

“…This finding emphasizes the importance of consistently fostering the practice of gratitude to harvest cumulative benefits over time. Given the ongoing challenges students face, particularly those affected by the trauma of earthquakes, cultivating these positive attributes becomes even more crucial in promoting their resilience and well-being amidst adversity 1 . The results highlight the potential of gratitude and LE as protective factors, which, when nurtured over time, may contribute to a greater sense of MIL, offering valuable implications for supporting students’ psychological growth and adjustment in the aftermath of the earthquake.…”

“…On September 5, 2022, Sichuan Province in China experienced an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 (Sichuan Earthquake Administration: https://www.scdzj.gov.cn/xwzx/sczx/202209/t20220905_53309.html ). Considering the substantial psychological impact of earthquakes on university students, particularly in terms of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and disruptions to their sense of meaning in life (MIL) 1 , it is crucial to explore effective interventions that can enhance MIL. The significance of cultivating MIL is highlighted by its association with improved psychological adjustment 2 and enhanced well-being 3 , which are vital for assisting students in coping with the challenges arising from natural disasters like earthquakes.…”

Validating the Arabic version of the Connor-Davidson resilience scale among university students

“…Numerous studies have highlighted the unique pressures that university students encounter, including academic demands, extreme stressors, financial constraints, and personal growth expectations [ 12 , 13 ]. Furthermore, it was observed that Jordanian university students exhibited pronounced signs and symptoms of PTSD following a crisis situation [ 14 ] as well as general population following the COVID-19 pandemic [ 15 ]. Given the significant impact of these stressors and crises on student well-being, validating a psychological resilience scale among Jordanian university students is of paramount importance to the wider Jordanian population.…”

Psychometric Properties of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist among the Lebanese Population Exposed to the Beirut Explosion: A Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…PTSD usually occur after traumatic occurrences that exceed the range of common human experience (for example, domestic violence, rape, torture, warfare, accidents, human-made, and natural disasters) that affect the mind and behavior of the individual [ 10 , 11 ]. It is characterized by a typical symptom pattern of disturbing thought process, emotional numbness, attempts to avoid trauma-related cues, and physiological hyper-arousal [ 10 ].…”