Comparison of earthquake survivors exposed to primary and secondary traumatic stress after the disaster in terms of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, suicide risk, depression and anxiety symptoms.

Background: Earthquakes can result in mental health issues for both earthquake survivors and rescue workers. Aims: To compare the prevalence and severity of PTSD, suicide risk, depression and anxiety between adults with primary earthquake trauma and rescue-aid personnel with secondary trauma exposure. Methods: In this analytic cross-sectional study, 133 survivors – hospitalised for crush injuries or residing in Nurdağı temporary shelters – and 127 rescue-aid personnel completed a sociodemographic form and three validated measures: the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale-5 (CAPS-5) for PTSD diagnosis and severity, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) for depression, anxiety and stress symptoms and the Suicide Probability Scale (SPS) for suicide risk. Results: The sample comprised 260 adults (39.6% male; 60.4% female), classified as primary-trauma (N: 133) or secondary-trauma (N: 127). PTSD prevalence was significantly higher in the primary group (N: 98, 73.7%) than in the secondary group (N: 75, 59.1%; p: .012). PTSD rates were also higher in women (N: 117, 74.5%) and in participants with low monthly income (N: 55, 91.7%; p: .001). The primary group showed greater anxiety (6.95) and depression (9.58) scores and higher PTSD severity (p < .05). The secondary group scored higher on the SPS ‘negative self’ subscale (p: .001). Suicidal ideation was identified in 18.1% of all participants; younger age and being single/living alone were linked to higher suicide risk (p < .05). Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that both primary and secondary trauma are significant issues that should be addressed with equal seriousness. Providing necessary psychosocial support to both earthquake survivors and responders after traumatic events like earthquakes is crucial.