Research Information System
Turk Psikiyatri Dergisi, vol.36, pp.395-403, 2025 (SSCI)
Objective: The aim was to determine the relationship between secondary traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and coping styles in healthcare workers following the devastating 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. Method: A total of 243 healthcare workers aged 18-65 years working at Ankara Bilkent City Children’s Hospital between April 2023 and June 2023 were included in our study. Participants were assessed with the Brief Symptom Inventory, Ways of Coping with Stress Scale and Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale. Results: Anxiety, depression and secondary traumatic stress were positively correlated with ineffective coping styles and negatively correlated with effective coping styles. Younger age and female gender were associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression, while secondary traumatic stress was more prevalent among those involved in treating earthquake-affected patients. Regression analysis revealed that ineffective coping styles were associated with anxiety, depression and secondary traumatic stress. Additionally, time spent treating earthquake-affected patients was linked to secondary traumatic stress, and the loss of a relative was associated with anxiety. Conclusion: Healthcare workers relying more on ineffective coping styles may face a greater risk of anxiety, depression and secondary traumatic stress.