Research Article

Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Psychological Resilience Among Fathers Exposed and Not Exposed to the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes

Volume: 17 Number: July, August, September 2026 September 23, 2026

Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Psychological Resilience Among Fathers Exposed and Not Exposed to the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes

Abstract

Objective: Earthquakes are associated with substantial psychological consequences, including depression, anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Fathers may be particularly vulnerable because of their central role in maintaining family functioning. Therefore, this study aimed to compare depression, anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychological resilience between fathers exposed and not exposed to the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study included 118 fathers living in the Kahramanmaraş region during the earthquake and 87 fathers residing in unaffected regions. The study sample was established using a convenience sampling strategy. Information for the study was obtained through the Sociodemographic and Earthquake Impact Questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), the PTSD Short Scale, and the Brief Psychological Resilience Scale (BPRS). Data were analyzed to compare symptom levels and psychological resilience across the two groups. Results: Fathers exposed to the earthquake had significantly higher stress, anxiety, depression, total DASS-21, and PTSD scores than fathers residing in unaffected regions (all p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed in psychological resilience between the two groups (p = 0.078). DASS-21 total and subscale scores were positively correlated with PTSD and negatively correlated with psychological resilience in both groups. Conclusion: Fathers exposed to the earthquake reported higher levels of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress than fathers living in unaffected regions. These findings highlight the need to expand father-focused psychosocial services after disasters to support family functioning and promote the emotional well-being of family members.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

No financial support was received for this study.

Ethical Statement

Participants received an information sheet detailing the study purpose, procedures and confidentiality measures. Consent was obtained either face-to-face or through the online form. Only volunteers were included. The research was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval was obtained from the Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee of Bartın University (Decision No: E-23688910-050.01.04-2300026251). Participant anonymity and confidentiality were carefully protected. Data were stored on a password-protected server accessible only to authorized researchers.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank all individuals who voluntarily participated in this study for their valuable contributions.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health Nursing

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 23, 2026

Submission Date

July 9, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: July, August, September 2026

APA
Dülger, H., Yalnız Dilcen, H., Ada, G., Demir Bozkurt, F., & Çakır Koçak, Y. (2026). Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Psychological Resilience Among Fathers Exposed and Not Exposed to the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 17(July, August, September 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1990464
AMA
1.Dülger H, Yalnız Dilcen H, Ada G, Demir Bozkurt F, Çakır Koçak Y. Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Psychological Resilience Among Fathers Exposed and Not Exposed to the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17(July, August, September 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1990464
Chicago
Dülger, Hanifi, Hacer Yalnız Dilcen, Güleser Ada, Feyza Demir Bozkurt, and Yeliz Çakır Koçak. 2026. “Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Psychological Resilience Among Fathers Exposed and Not Exposed to the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 (July, August, September 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1990464.
EndNote
Dülger H, Yalnız Dilcen H, Ada G, Demir Bozkurt F, Çakır Koçak Y (September 1, 2026) Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Psychological Resilience Among Fathers Exposed and Not Exposed to the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 July, August, September 2026
IEEE
[1]H. Dülger, H. Yalnız Dilcen, G. Ada, F. Demir Bozkurt, and Y. Çakır Koçak, “Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Psychological Resilience Among Fathers Exposed and Not Exposed to the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes”, Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg, vol. 17, no. July, August, September 2026, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.31067/acusaglik.1990464.
ISNAD
Dülger, Hanifi - Yalnız Dilcen, Hacer - Ada, Güleser - Demir Bozkurt, Feyza - Çakır Koçak, Yeliz. “Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Psychological Resilience Among Fathers Exposed and Not Exposed to the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17/July, August, September 2026 (September 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1990464.
JAMA
1.Dülger H, Yalnız Dilcen H, Ada G, Demir Bozkurt F, Çakır Koçak Y. Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Psychological Resilience Among Fathers Exposed and Not Exposed to the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17. doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1990464.
MLA
Dülger, Hanifi, et al. “Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Psychological Resilience Among Fathers Exposed and Not Exposed to the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 17, no. July, August, September 2026, Sept. 2026, doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1990464.
Vancouver
1.Hanifi Dülger, Hacer Yalnız Dilcen, Güleser Ada, Feyza Demir Bozkurt, Yeliz Çakır Koçak. Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Psychological Resilience Among Fathers Exposed and Not Exposed to the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026 Sep. 1;17(July, August, September 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1990464