The effect of earthquake exposure on PTSD symptoms is mediated by intrusive rumination and moderated by gender: a cross-sectional study on the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake survivors.

Evidence suggests that natural disasters, such as earthquakes, can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with women being particularly vulnerable. However, there is a dearth of knowledge about the underlying mechanisms linking traumatic experiences to PTSD as well as gender differences in the operation of these mechanisms. This study examined the mediating effect of intrusive rumination and the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between earthquake exposure level and PTSD symptoms. This cross-sectional study was conducted 12 months after the devastating earthquake in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. The sample included 632 adult survivors of the earthquake, including 374 females (59.2%) and 258 males (40.8%). Participants completed a set of questionnaires assessing their demographic information, level of earthquake exposure, intrusive rumination, and PTSD symptoms. Correlation analysis, mediation analysis, and conditional process analysis were employed to evaluate the research hypotheses. Findings revealed significant associations between the level of earthquake exposure, intrusive rumination and PTSD symptoms. The level of earthquake exposure significantly predicted PTSD symptoms. Moreover, intrusive rumination partially mediated the relationship between earthquake exposure level and PTSD symptoms. Additionally, the mediating effect of intrusive rumination was more pronounced among females than males. This study revealed the significant mediating role of intrusive rumination in the development of post-earthquake PTSD symptoms. By uncovering gender differences in this mechanism, it also emphasized the importance of designing interventions that are sensitive to the varying needs of different demographic groups affected by the disaster in post-disaster mental health interventions.

Çitak Ş ，Dadandı İ 《BMC PUBLIC HEALTH》

Quality of life and post-traumatic stress disorder among elderly earthquake survivors: a focus on the February earthquake in Turkey.

On 6 February, 2023, Turkey experienced a disaster resulting from two major earthquakes. The elderly population stands out as one of the most vulnerable and least adaptable. This study aims to identify the quality of life (QOL) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among elderly earthquake survivors in Turkey. This research was conducted between 1 October, 2023 and 15 December, 2023 as a cross-sectional design. During the data collection process, survey questions prepared by the researchers (29 questions) and the Elderly Quality of Life Scale (OPQOL-Bref) and the Impact of Events Scale (IES-R) were used. Three hundred and eighty-four elderly people participated in the study. PTSD was more common in those diagnosed with chronic diseases after the earthquake, in those who had a drug-free period after the earthquake, in those who smoked and quit smoking, and in those who started psychiatric medication after the earthquake. Post-traumatic stress was seen more frequently in those with low QOL scores and in those who had a longer period of not using medication after the earthquake. It was observed that QOL was better in married people, high school graduates, those with average income levels, those who did not have chronic diseases before and after the earthquake, those who did not have a drug-free period after the earthquake, those who were physically active, and those who did not use psychiatric medication after the earthquake. Chronic disease diagnosis post-earthquake, drug-free periods, smoking habits, and psychiatric medication usage were identified as influential factors in PTSD occurrence. Additionally, the study shed light on the profound effect of earthquake-related experiences, such as house damage, injuries, deaths in first-degree relatives, displacement, and changes in living conditions, on PTSD prevalence.

Yayla ME ，Gümüştakim RŞ ，Ayhan Başer D 《-》

Erratum: Eyestalk Ablation to Increase Ovarian Maturation in Mud Crabs.

《Jove-Journal of Visualized Experiments》

Evaluation of the demographic characteristics and general health status of earthquake survivors affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake; a section from Gaziantep Nurdağı district.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 occurred in Pazarcık District of Turkey at 04.17 on February 6, 2023 and another earthquake of 7.6 occurred at 13.24 on the same day. This is the second largest earthquake to have occurred in Turkey. The aim of this study is to investigate the earthquake-related level of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, general health and psychological status of survivors who were affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake and who were living in Nurdağı District of Gaziantep after the earthquake. Data of 2317 individuals older than 18 years of age who were living in earthquake neighbourhoods, tents and containers in Nurdağı District of Gaziantep were examined. Variables were evaluated to find out the demographic characteristics and general health status of earthquake victims. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to find out psychological states of earthquake victims. The rate of injuries was 14.2% and leg and foot injuries were the most common with 44.2%. The relationship between injury status; and age, marital status, and being trapped under debris was revealed (p < 0.05). Mean GHQ-12 score of the survivors was 3.81 ± 2.81 and 51.9% experienced psychological distress. In the evaluation with logistic regression, it was found that female gender, being injured in the earthquake, loss of first degree and second degree relatives (with a higher rate in loss of first degree relative), having a severely damaged -to be demolished house and having a completely destroyed house were correlated with higher level of psychological distress (p < 0.05). General characteristics, injury prevalence and affecting factors of earthquake survivors were evaluated in the present study. Psychological distress was found in victims. For this reason, providing protective and assistive services to fight the destructive effects of earthquake is vital. Accordingly, increasing the awareness of people residing in earthquake zones regarding earthquakes is exceptionally important.

Tomak L ，Demirel T ，Demir I 《BMC PUBLIC HEALTH》

The prevalence and risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety among older survivors post-earthquake: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The occurrence of PTSD, depression, and anxiety is notably high among older adults following an earthquake. This research aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of mental health conditions among older survivors after an earthquake. The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA process. A comprehensive search was conducted across various databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and the Wan Fang Database for Chinese Periodicals for studies reporting on the prevalence of PTSD, depression, and anxiety among older survivors post-earthquake. Each database was searched from inception to August 1, 2023 each database, and updated the search on October 1, 2024. The random effects model was employed to conduct meta-analysis, and the I2 index was taken into account to evaluate heterogeneity among studies. A narrative synthesis was performed to identify the risk factors associated with these mental health conditions. A total of 33 studies were analyzed in this meta-analysis, mainly from China, Japan, Nepal, and Mexico. The prevalence rates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety among older earthquake survivors were found to be 19.3 % (95 % CI [16.0-22.6 %]; I2 = 99.486 %, P = 0.000), 23.5 % (95 % CI [13.9-33.1 %]; I2 = 99.901 %, P = 0.000) and 10.9 % (95 % CI [6.7-15.1 %]; I2 = 99.287 %, P = 0.000), respectively. The identified major risk factors were categorized into four dimensions, including demographic variables (e.g., older age, chronic illness), pre-disaster mitigation variables (e.g., lack of insurance), responding in disaster variables (e.g., being injured, property damage) and post-disaster relief variables (e.g., inadequate psychological care, low levels of social/family support). The optimal cut-off for different screening tools may be sensitive to changes in the prevalence of older survivors post-earthquake. Furthermore, due to the heterogeneity of the studies, a narrative synthesis of risk factors was conducted. The findings of this review may increase the awareness of the burden and risk factors associated with PTSD, depression, and anxiety in older survivors post-earthquake. It serves as a reference for the government in formulating recovery policies focusing on interventions, such as financial allocation, psychological treatment, and insurance claims. These policies aim to mitigate the long-term psychological effects on older survivors and ultimately lower the prevalence of mental health conditions.

Peng Y ，Chen Q ，Xu H ，Shi M ，Li L ，Wu XV ... -  《-》