Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Psychiatric Disorders in Earthquake Victims After the Elazig Earthquake in 2020

Objective: This study investigated the prevalence of PTSD and accompanying mental illnesses in Elazig Earthquake survivors, aiming to identify risk factors for PTSD and the prevalence of depression and anxiety. Method: The sample comprised 320 earthquake survivors aged 18 and above who experienced the earthquake. The participants completed a sociodemographic data form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), and Traumatic Experiences Checklist (TEC). Results: The study found that the prevalence of PTSD among earthquake victims was 13.1%. Additionally, 24.37% of participants experienced moderate to severe depression, while 25.32% had moderate to severe anxiety. Conclusion: Identifying potential risk factors for mental illness development after an earthquake and providing targeted psychiatric support to at-risk individuals can help prevent the onset of PTSD and other psychiatric disorders.