Department of Industrial Engineering, Mudanya University, Bursa, Turkey.
Department of Civil Defense and Firefighting, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Antalya, Turkey.
Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2024 Sep 18;18:e128. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2024.134.
This cross-sectional study investigates the immediate psychological effects of disaster relief operations on team members following 2 consecutive major earthquakes in Turkey.
A total of 170 participants, including professional firefighters, search and rescue (SAR) workers, and volunteers, were surveyed approximately 1 month after the conclusion of active SAR operations. The study utilizes the DSM-V criteria and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5) to assess symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among participants.
The findings reveal a point prevalence of 35.3% for probable PTSD, highlighting the substantial psychological impact on disaster relief teams. Factors such as age, residency in affected areas, and active SAR involvement significantly influenced probable PTSD rates. Interestingly, actively engaged SAR members had lower probable PTSD rates, possibly due to their training. Those who directly witnessed the earthquakes had higher scores, highlighting the impact of firsthand exposure. Additionally, individuals aged 50 and above displayed a higher mean total severity score compared to younger participants.
This research contributes to understanding the mental well-being of disaster relief professionals. The study's findings underscore the importance of timely mental health support and training for these responders, emphasizing the need for preparedness in disaster relief teams.
本横断面研究调查了土耳其连续两次大地震后，救援行动对团队成员的即时心理影响。
共有 170 名参与者，包括职业消防员、搜救（SAR）人员和志愿者，在 SAR 行动结束后大约 1 个月接受了调查。该研究利用 DSM-V 标准和创伤后应激障碍检查表（PCL-5）评估参与者的创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）症状。
研究结果显示，可能患有 PTSD 的比例为 35.3%，突出了对救灾队伍的重大心理影响。年龄、受灾地区居住和积极参与 SAR 等因素显著影响可能患有 PTSD 的比率。有趣的是，积极参与 SAR 的成员的 PTSD 可能性较低，这可能是由于他们接受了培训。那些直接目睹地震的人得分更高，突出了直接接触的影响。此外，50 岁及以上的个体的总严重程度评分均值高于年轻参与者。
本研究有助于了解救灾专业人员的心理健康。研究结果强调了及时为这些响应者提供心理健康支持和培训的重要性，强调了救灾队伍的准备工作的必要性。
