Post-Traumatic Growth in Volunteers Following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes

Kader Demiröz, Mehtap Kılıç and Sevda Demiröz Yıldırım ()
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Kader Demiröz: Department of Emergency Aid and Disaster Management, Artvin Coruh University, 08000 Artvin, Türkiye
Mehtap Kılıç: Department of Emergency Aid and Disaster Management, Ardahan University, 75000 Ardahan, Türkiye
Sevda Demiröz Yıldırım: Department of Emergency Aid and Disaster Management, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, 15100 Burdur, Türkiye

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 5, 1-22

Abstract: The 6 February 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes were devastating events that caused widespread destruction. This mixed-methods study examined post-traumatic growth (PTG) in volunteers who participated in the relief efforts. A total of 169 volunteers participated in the quantitative phase, completing a standardized PTG measure. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 volunteers during the qualitative phase. The study found that gender had a significant effect on total PTG scores. Additionally, gender, earthquake experience, and volunteer organization were significant factors in the “change in self-concept” sub-dimension. Gender was the only significant factor in the “change in philosophy of life” sub-dimension. Qualitative analysis revealed that participants experienced trauma symptoms after the earthquake but also reported positive changes in self-concept and life philosophy. This study suggests that disasters can lead to PTG, despite the presence of trauma symptoms. Further research is needed to explore PTG in different disaster response groups.

Keywords: disaster management; earthquake; post-traumatic growth; volunteer; Kahramanmaraş earthquakes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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