Assessment of the psychological effects on firefighters in the aftermath of the Pazarcık and Elbistan earthquakes in 2023

Abstract

In February 2023, two catastrophic earthquakes in Turkey resulted in over 50,000 fatalities and over 300,000 injuries. This study investigated the psychological effects on firefighters who engage in rescue operations following these earthquakes, focusing on trauma-related symptoms, depression, anxiety, stress, and resilience. The research employed validated psychometric instruments, including the Post-earthquake Trauma Level Determination Scale (PETLDS); Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21); PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5); and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), to assess the psychological states of firefighters. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the psychological impact of earthquakes on firefighters. Specific objectives include quantifying trauma levels; identifying the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and stress among firefighters; and investigating the role of psychological resilience in mitigating the effects of disaster-related psychological trauma. This study is also aimed at providing empirical evidence to inform the development of psychological support and intervention strategies for firefighters in the aftermath of these earthquakes. In this study of 223 primarily male firefighters, significant psychological impacts from earthquake trauma were observed. The PETLDS scores indicated high trauma levels in 28 participants and modest levels in 195. Subscales revealed affective responses and cognitive structure were most affected. DASS-21 scores showed higher depression, anxiety, and stress in the high trauma group. PCL-5 and BRS analyses confirmed higher PTSD symptoms and lower resilience in high-trauma individuals. Correlation analysis highlighted strong associations between trauma, psychological distress, and decreased resilience. These findings highlight the necessity for targeted mental health interventions and support mechanisms for firefighters, contribute to the establishment of training programs to enhance psychological resilience among firefighters, and add valuable insights to the field of disaster psychology.