Introduction
A disaster is an event caused by human, technological, or natural sources that disrupts the routine life order of a society, exceeds the capacity of individuals to adapt to the situation, and causes significant loss of life and property or injuries. Earthquakes constitute one of the most significant natural disasters impacting Turkey.Reference Sönmez1 Natural disasters like earthquakes can lead to loss of life and property and long-term mental health problems, especially in adolescents and children.Reference Wang, Shi and Chen2 Adolescents are particularly susceptible to the detrimental impacts of disasters due to their reliance on adults, their ongoing developmental processes, and their limited coping mechanisms.Reference Kaya, Inal Onal and Fatih3 Due to the characteristics of this developmental period, adolescents are among the sensitive groups more affected by earthquakes.Reference Wang, Shi and Chen2, Reference Özkan and Kutun4 Adolescents may exhibit varied responses to earthquakes. Some individuals might disregard the event and become introspective, while others may manifest aggressive behaviors.Reference Aral5 Adolescents may experience loneliness, social isolation, guilt, diminished self-confidence, suicidal ideation, sleep disturbances, and engage in behaviors such as substance use as a result of changes in living standards due to earthquakes, the loss of loved ones, and similar circumstances.Reference Wang, Shi and Chen2, Reference Özkan and Kutun4
Loneliness is a subjective negative experience that emerges from the disparity between the desired level of meaningful social relationships and the perceived actual level of such relationships.Reference Bone, Fancourt and Fluharty6 The prevalence of loneliness among adolescents is increasing worldwide.Reference Twenge, Haidt and Blake7 Loneliness and social support are seen as two social processes that arise in interpersonal relationships.Reference Welch, Ellis and Green8 Adolescents, due to the characteristics of their age, are at risk of feeling lonely and lacking social support.Reference Bone, Fancourt and Fluharty6
Social support is considered a crucial protective factor that enhances adolescents’ psychological adjustment and mitigates adverse effects, particularly following traumatic events such as disasters.Reference Karabulut, Kaçmaz and Çelik9 Social support enhances adolescents’ sense of security, mitigates fear, and bolsters their coping abilities.Reference Karabulut, Kaçmaz and Çelik9 It also plays a significant role in the social adjustment of adolescents, contributing to the alleviation of loneliness and psychological distress.Reference Ren and Ji10 Adolescents primarily receive social support from individuals with whom they maintain frequent contact and share a sense of closeness. These individuals typically include family members, peers, friends, relatives, teachers, and community members.Reference Traş and Arslan11 The study indicates that the family constitutes the most effective source of social support for Turkish adolescents.Reference Topaktaş, Dündar and Pekşen12 Increased familial support during adolescence has been correlated with enhanced problem-solving abilities and more effective stress-coping strategies.Reference Traş and Arslan11 Among adolescents, diminished social support from family, friends, and teachers is correlated with increased levels of loneliness.Reference Liu, Hu and Liu13, Reference Avcı and Yıldırım14
Psychosocial support programs implemented in regions affected by earthquakes employ a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impact of trauma induced by the disaster and to facilitate individuals’ healthy reintegration into their daily routines. These programs are designed to enhance the resilience of individuals and communities by offering support not only during crises but also throughout the recovery processes following a disaster. Early intervention plays a crucial role in safeguarding mental health by mitigating the progression of trauma. Furthermore, the effectiveness of psychosocial support programs is contingent upon their design being informed by local cultural values and social structures.Reference Yavrutürk15, Reference Aksoy and Kabasakal16 This study seeks to enhance the understanding of protective factors in post-disaster psychological adjustment by investigating the relationship between loneliness and social support among adolescents impacted by the earthquake.
Research Questions
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• Q1: What is the level of loneliness in adolescents affected by the earthquake?
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• Q2: What is the level of perceived social support in adolescents affected by the earthquake?
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• Q3: Is there a relationship between loneliness and perceived social support in adolescents affected by the earthquake?
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• Q4: Do the demographic characteristics of adolescents affected by the earthquake influence their levels of loneliness and perceived social support?
Method
Research Setting
This descriptive-correlational study was conducted between April and May 2023 with adolescents living in 11 provinces affected by the earthquake that occurred on February 6 in Turkey (Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Diyarbakır, Adana, Şanlıurfa, and Elazığ).
Population and Sample
The population of the study consisted of adolescents living in the 11 provinces affected by the earthquake that occurred on February 6 in Turkey. In this study, the snowball sampling method was used. The minimum number of individuals to be included in the sample was calculated as at least 384, using the unknown population formula (n = t^2.p.q/d^2) at a 95% confidence interval (d = 0.05), t = 1.96, p = 0.5, q = 0.5. A total of 549 adolescents were included in the study. Based on the results obtained from 549 participants, a post hoc power analysis determined that the study had a power of 99% at a 95% confidence level with a medium effect size.Reference Cohen17 The STROBE guideline was used for reporting this research article.Reference Vandenbrouckel, von Elm and Altman18
Inclusion Criteria
Adolescents who were willing to participate, lived in 1 of the 11 provinces affected by the earthquake, and were between the ages of 12 and 18 were included in the study.
Data Collection Instruments
The “Descriptive Information Form,” the “UCLA Loneliness Scale,” and the “Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale” were used as data collection tools.
Descriptive Information Form
The descriptive information form, prepared by the researchers based on the literature, consists of 8 questions (gender, age, number of siblings, birth order, presence of family loss after the earthquake, feeling of loneliness after the earthquake, relocation after the earthquake, satisfaction with current living conditions).Reference Kurudirek, Arıkan and Ekici19, Reference Chen, Chen and Shi20
UCLA Loneliness Scale
The UCLA Loneliness Scale was first developed by Russell et al.Reference Russell, Peplau and Ferguson21 The adaptation and Turkish validity-reliability study was conducted by Demir in 1989. The scale consists of 20 items, 10 of which are reverse-coded and 10 are straight-coded. The total score from the 20 items gives the general loneliness score. The lowest possible score on the scale is 20, and the highest is 80. A low total score indicates a low level of loneliness among adolescents, while a high score indicates a high level of loneliness. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability value of the scale was found to be 0.96.Reference Demir22 In our study, the Cronbach’s alpha value was found to be 0.87.
Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)
The MSPSS was first developed by Zimet et al. to determine the social support individuals receive from three sources.Reference Zimet, Dahlem and Zimet23 The validity and reliability study of the scale in adolescents was conducted by Çakır and Palabıyıkoğlu. The scale consists of 12 items divided into 3 subgroups (family, friends, and a significant other), each containing 4 questions. The scale items are evaluated using a 7-point Likert scale ranging from “1 = Absolutely not” to “7 = Absolutely yes.” The total score from the 12 items determines the multidimensional perceived social support score. The lowest possible score on the scale is 12, and the highest is 84. A low total score indicates low perceived social support, while a high score indicates high perceived social support. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability value of the scale is 0.76.Reference Çakır and Palabıyıkoğlu24 The reliability values for the subdimensions are 0.84 for family, 0.83 for friends, and 0.82 for the significant other subscale. In our study, the total Cronbach’s alpha value of the scale was found to be 0.94. The Cronbach’s Alpha values for the subdimensions were 0.93 for family, 0.94 for friends, and 0.94 for the significant other.
Data Collection
In this study, data were collected online using Google Forms. The survey link was distributed via email and WhatsApp (WhatsApp Inc., Menlo Park, CA) utilizing the bulk messaging feature. The confidentiality of survey responses was strictly maintained. To ensure data integrity, the Google Forms were standardized to allow only a single response per device (phone, tablet, or computer). The form contained detailed information about the study’s objectives, the required participant details, and the necessity of obtaining parental consent. Participants were fully informed of these details prior to their involvement. It was emphasized that both parental and adolescent consent were required before participation, with approval confirmed prior to the commencement of the study. In compliance with data privacy principles, data collection began after obtaining informed consent from both the parents and the participants. The “Descriptive Information Form,” the “UCLA Loneliness Scale,” and the “Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale” were used for data collection. For each participant, filling out the data collection forms took 10-15 minutes.
Data Analysis
The analysis of the research data was conducted using SPSS 22.0, AMOS V 24.0, and G*Power 3.1 statistical software packages. Data were summarized using percentages, means, standard deviations, minimum and maximum values. Statistical analyses included independent-samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), post hoc tests (Tukey's HSD and Dunnett's tests), Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis.
Ethical Principles of the Research
Approval for the research was obtained from the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee of Gümüşhane University (Date and Number: 05.03.2023- E-95674917-108.99-169133). Adolescents who would participate in the research were informed by the researcher about the purpose and method of the study, the time they would allocate for the research, that participation would not cause any harm, and that participation was entirely based on the principle of voluntariness. Consent was obtained from them. To protect individual rights during the research, the Helsinki Declaration on Human Rights was adhered to throughout the study.
Limitations of the Study
During the data collection phase, communication could not be established with adolescents who did not have internet access since social media was the only communication tool used. This constitutes a limitation of the research.
Results
First, descriptive statistics related to the demographic and control variables of the participants were provided within the framework of the research. When examining the descriptive statistics given in Table 1, it was found that 70.7% (n = 388) were girls, 32.9% (n = 178) were in the 12-15 age group, 61% (n = 335) had four or more siblings, and 24% (n = 132) were the first-born child. Additionally, 54.5% (n = 299) experienced a loss after the earthquake, 64.5% (n = 354) felt lonely after the earthquake, 50.2% (n = 276) relocated to another city after the earthquake, and 58.1% (n = 313) were dissatisfied with their current living conditions.
Distribution of adolescents by descriptive characteristics
Table 1. Long description
The table contains three columns: Descriptive characteristics, N, and percent.
* Gender: Female (388, 70.7 percent), Male (161, 29.3 percent).
* Age group: 12 to 15 years (178, percent not listed), 16 to 18 years (371, 67.1 percent).
* Number of siblings: No siblings (29, 5.2 percent), 1 to 3 siblings (185, 33.8 percent), 4 or more siblings (335, 61.0 percent).
* Birth order: First-born (132, 24 percent), Middle child (194, 35.4 percent), Last-born (223, 40.6 percent).
* Loss after earthquake: Yes (299, 54.5 percent), No (250, 45.5 percent).
* Feeling lonely after earthquake: Yes (354, 64.5 percent), No (195, 35.5 percent).
* Relocated after earthquake: Yes (276, 50.2 percent), No (273, 49.8 percent).
* Satisfaction with current living conditions: Yes (226, 41.9 percent), No (313, 58.1 percent).
Independent Single Sample T-Test and One-Way ANOVA Analysis
Table 2 presents the comparison of adolescents’ UCLA and MSPSS mean scores based on their descriptive characteristics. The loneliness and perceived social support mean scores are compared according to the descriptive characteristics of the adolescents. When examining the mean scores of loneliness and perceived social support, no significant differences were found in terms of gender, number of siblings, age, and birth order variables (P > 0.05). However, the mean loneliness score was found to be significantly associated with post-earthquake loss, feeling lonely after the earthquake, and satisfaction with current living conditions (P < 0.05). The total perceived social support score was significantly associated with relocation after the earthquake, post-earthquake loss, feeling lonely after the earthquake, and satisfaction with current living conditions (P < 0.05).
Comparison of adolescents’ UCLA and MSPSS mean scores by descriptive characteristics
Table 2. Long description
The table is divided into two main sections based on descriptive characteristics.
Section 1: Binary and Age Characteristics
* Gender: Females scored 45,030 plus or minus 9,531 on U C L A and 54,643 plus or minus 17,438 on M S P S S Total. Males scored 44,378 plus or minus 9,782 on U C L A and 57,646 plus or minus 17,359 on M S P S S Total. P-values for gender differences were not significant at the 0.05 level.
* Age: 12 to 15 years scored 44,438 plus or minus 9,558 on U C L A. 16 to 18 years scored 45,032 plus or minus 9,628 on U C L A. Differences were not statistically significant.
* Feeling lonely after the earthquake: ‘Yes’ respondents had significantly lower U C L A scores (40,820) and higher M S P S S Total scores (62,072) compared to ‘No’ respondents (U C L A 47,053; M S P S S 51,937), with P equals 0.000.
* Relocation: Those who did not relocate had higher M S P S S Total scores (58,390) than those who did (52,660), significant at P equals 0.001.
* Satisfaction with living conditions: ‘Yes’ respondents scored significantly better across all metrics (U C L A 40,017; M S P S S Total 63,400) than ‘No’ respondents (U C L A 48,316; M S P S S Total 49,830), P equals 0.001.
Section 2: Family and Loss Characteristics
* Number of siblings and Birth order: No statistically significant differences were found across U C L A or M S P S S scores for these categories.
* Post-earthquake loss: Significant differences (P equals 0.001) were observed. Those who lost a sibling had the highest U C L A scores (51,300) and the lowest M S P S S Total scores (39,550). Those who lost no one had the highest M S P S S Total scores (58,716).
***, **, and * represent significance levels at P ≤ 0.01, P ≤ 0.05, and P ≤ 0.10, respectively.
Tukey HSD and Dunnett’s-C tests were used as post hoc tests.
Analysis of Descriptive Statistics and Reliability-Validity of UCLA and MSPSS
As shown in Table 3, the average total score of the MSPSS for adolescents was 55.52 ± 17.45. The subdimensions of the perceived social support scale are as follows: family support was 18.99 ± 6.7, special person was 17.04 ± 7.1, and friend support was 19.52 ± 6.4. The average score of the loneliness scale was 44.83 ± 9.6.
Distribution of scores from the UCLA and MSPSS scales and their subdimensions
Table 3. Long description
The table consists of 7 columns and 7 rows. The columns are labeled: N (subdivided into Valid and Missing), U C L A, Family support, Special person support, Friend support, and M S P S S total.
Row 1 (N Valid): U C L A 549, Family support 549, Special person support 549, Friend support 548, M S P S S total 548.
Row 2 (N Missing): U C L A 0, Family support 0, Special person support 0, Friend support 1, M S P S S total 1.
Row 3 (Mean): U C L A 44.839, Family support 18.992, Special person support 17.047, Friend support 19.521, M S P S S total 55.525.
Row 4 (S D): U C L A 9.601, Family support 6.717, Special person support 7.125, Friend support 6.481, M S P S S total 17.453.
Row 5 (Minimum): U C L A 20.00, Family support 4.00, Special person support 4.00, Friend support 4.00, M S P S S total 12.00.
Row 6 (Maximum): U C L A 76.00, Family support 28.00, Special person support 28.00, Friend support 28.00, M S P S S total 84.00.
Row 7 (Cronbach's alpha): U C L A 0.874, Family support 0.934, Special person support 0.940, Friend support 0.944, M S P S S total 0.946.
Pearson Correlation Analysis
Table 4 shows the correlation relationships between variables using Pearson correlation analysis. The results indicated a negative and significant correlation between the total loneliness score and the total MSPSS score, as well as its subdimensions (family support, friend support, and special person support), and satisfaction with current living conditions (r = −0.473, P ≤ 0.01; r = −0.437, P ≤ 0.01; r = −0.539, P ≤ 0.01; r = −0.251, P ≤ 0.01; r = −0.311, P ≤ 0.01; r = −0.427, P ≤ 0.01). A positive and significant relationship was found between the total loneliness score and the variables of post-earthquake loss and feeling lonely after the earthquake (r = 0.225, P ≤ 0.01; r = 0.311, P ≤ 0.01).
Pearson correlation analysis
Table 4. Long description
A correlation matrix table with 12 variables listed on both the vertical and horizontal axes. For each intersection, three values are provided: r (Pearson correlation coefficient), P (significance level), and n (sample size).
Key variables include Loneliness, Family, Special person, Friend, M S P S S total, Gender, Age, Number of siblings, Birth order, Post-earthquake loss, Feeling lonely after the earthquake, and Relocation after the earthquake.
Significant correlations include:
* Loneliness and Family: r = -0.437 (P = 0.000).
* Loneliness and Friend: r = -0.539 (P = 0.000).
* Loneliness and M S P S S total: r = -0.473 (P = 0.000).
* Loneliness and Feeling lonely after the earthquake: r = 0.311 (P = 0.000).
* Family and M S P S S total: r = 0.870 (P = 0.000).
* Post-earthquake loss and Loneliness: r = 0.225 (P = 0.000).
* Satisfaction with current living conditions and Loneliness: r = -0.427 (P = 0.000).
Diagonal values are bolded at 1.000 where variables intersect with themselves. Significance levels are indicated by asterisks: three asterisks for P less than or equal to 0.01, two for P less than or equal to 0.05, and one for P less than or equal to 0.10. Sample sizes (n) range between 548 and 549.
***, **, and * represent significance levels at P ≤ 0.01, P ≤ 0.05, and P ≤ 0.10, respectively.
A negative and significant relationship was found between the total MSPSS score and the variables of post-earthquake loss, feeling lonely after the earthquake, relocation after the earthquake, and satisfaction with current living conditions (r = −0.140, P ≤ 0.01; r = −0.278, P ≤ 0.01; r = −0.164, P ≤ 0.01; r = −0.384, P ≤ 0.01).
Regression Analyses
The effects of the subdimensions of the MSPSS scale (family, friend, and special person support) and the control variable of satisfaction with current living conditions on the dependent variable of the Loneliness (UCLA) scale were found to be negative and statistically significant. Loneliness was found to be 3.919 points lower among those satisfied with their current living conditions. The effects of post-earthquake loss and feeling lonely after the earthquake on the loneliness variable were positive and statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). Loneliness was 0.328 points higher among those who experienced loss after the earthquake and 1.904 points higher among those who felt lonely after the earthquake. In contrast, the effects of gender, age, and relocation after the earthquake on the dependent variables were found to be insignificant. The F-test, which indicates the overall significance of the model, was significant. The explanatory variables accounted for 37.6% of the variation in the dependent variable (Table 5).
Multiple regression results on the effect of descriptive characteristics on total loneliness score
Table 5. Long description
The table contains 7 columns: Variable, B, Std. error, Beta, t, P, and V I F.
Individual row data is as follows:
- Constant: B 56,384, t 33,183, P 0,000.
- Family support: B minus 0,138, Std. error 0,073, Beta minus 0,096, t minus 1,879, P 0,061, V I F 2,308.
- Special person support: B minus 0,150, Std. error 0,061, Beta 0,111, t 2,471, P 0,014, V I F 1,766.
- Friend support: B minus 0,654, Std. error 0,070, Beta minus 0,442, t minus 9,337, P 0,000, V I F 1,960.
- Gender: B 0,353, Std. error 0,724, Beta 0,017, t 0,488, P 0,626, V I F 1,033.
- Age: B 0,053, Std. error 0,698, Beta 0,003, t 0,077, P 0,939, V I F 1,015.
- Birth order: B minus 0,706, Std. error 0,417, Beta minus 0,058, t minus 1,695, P 0,091, V I F 1,021.
- Post-earthquake loss: B 0,328, Std. error 0,145, Beta 0,081, t 2,263, P 0,024, V I F 1,134.
- Feeling lonely after earthquake: B 1,904, Std. error 0,760, Beta minus 0,095, t minus 2,506, P 0,012, V I F 1,256.
- Relocation after earthquake: B minus 0,836, Std. error 0,660, Beta minus 0,044, t minus 1,267, P 0,206, V I F 1,036.
- Satisfaction with current living conditions: B minus 3,919, Std. error 0,768, Beta 0,202, t 5,103, P 0,000, V I F 1,366.
Model summary statistics:
- D. R super 2: 0,376.
- F: 39,939.
- p-degeri: 0.00.
- Hosmer-Lemeshow chi-squared: 11,248.
- P-value: 0,188.
Significance levels are indicated by asterisks: three asterisks for P less than or equal to 0.01, two for P less than or equal to 0.05, and one for P less than or equal to 0.10.
***, **, and * represent significance levels at P ≤ 0.01, P ≤ 0.05, and P ≤ 0.10, respectively.
Discussion
This study is the first to examine the relationship between loneliness and social support in adolescents affected by the earthquake. Experiencing a disaster like an earthquake during adolescence negatively impacts adolescents’ psychological well-being, leading to problems such as stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, and headaches.Reference Gönüllü and Tekin25 Social support is believed to mitigate the adverse effects of stress and alleviate loneliness.Reference Mo and Bai26 Therefore, it is crucial to determine the levels of loneliness and perceived social support in adolescents after an earthquake. The findings of the study were discussed in the context of the literature.
In our study, the average score of the loneliness scale for adolescents was found to be below the moderate level. However, this finding contradicts some studies in the literature. Forouzan and colleagues, in their research with vulnerable groups after the Iran earthquake, reported that feelings of loneliness increased in children after the earthquake.Reference Forouzan, Eftekhari and Falahat27 Sülün and Düken found that the level of loneliness in adolescents was moderate in their study.Reference Sülün and Düken28 These conflicting findings may indicate that the level of loneliness after an earthquake is influenced by different factors. The reason for the lower total loneliness score in our study compared to other studies may be due to the increase in solidarity and social support networks after the earthquake.
Given that earthquake exposure is associated with increased psychological symptoms, suicide risk, and negative future expectations among adolescents, family and psychosocial support may play an important role in protecting their psychological well-being.Reference Kaplan, Düken and Kaya29 In our study, the perceived social support score was found to be above the moderate level. This finding is consistent with several studies reporting high levels of perceived social support among adolescents.Reference Jakobsen, Hansen and Andersen30, Reference Topaktaş, Dündar and Pekşen31 Similarly, studies conducted following natural disasters have shown relatively high levels of social support among adolescents and young people.Reference Cohen, Danielson and Adams32–Reference Bokszczanin34 However, findings regarding perceived social support after earthquakes are not entirely consistent. Some studies have reported differences in perceived social support levels across different times and settings following an earthquake,Reference Fu, Wang and Xin35, Reference Jia, Liu and Ying36 while others have reported changes in social support levels over time.Reference Del Valle, Bravo and López37, Reference Spitz, Winkler Metzke and Steinhausen38 In addition, a study conducted with students affected by an earthquake reported significant decreases in psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, somatization, hostility, and negative self-perception, following a psychoeducation program.Reference Kaplan, Düken and Riad39 Therefore, future research should consider different time intervals and sample groups to more comprehensively examine the changes in social support.
Social support is considered a protective factor for mental health and can alleviate loneliness.Reference Mo and Bai26 A high perception of social support can encourage adolescents to use better coping methods after traumatic events.Reference Zhou, Zhen and Wu40 In our study, we found a significant negative relationship between loneliness and social support in adolescents. As social support increases, the level of loneliness decreases. Research in the literature supports our findings. In a study by Ren and colleagues on adolescents, a significant negative relationship was found between loneliness and perceived social support.Reference Ren and Ji10 Mo and Bai reported that as social support increased, the level of loneliness decreased in their study with adolescents.Reference Mo and Bai26 Other studies on adolescents have also found a significant negative relationship between social support and loneliness.Reference Liu, Hu and Liu13, Reference Tan, Ai and Wen41, Reference Aydıner-Boylu, Günay and Ersoy42 These findings highlight the importance of social support and solidarity provided by the community in coping with the challenges faced by adolescents after an earthquake. It is crucial for young people affected by the earthquake not to feel lonely, to feel supported, and to belong to the community. This underscores the necessity of strengthening social support networks and community solidarity after a disaster.
In our study, a significant positive relationship was found between loneliness and the variables of post-earthquake loss and feeling lonely after the earthquake. Similarly, a qualitative study found that loneliness among adolescents who had experienced parental loss was associated not only with the physical absence of a parent but also with the loss of emotional support and increased psychosocial burdens.Reference Amayana Saputri, Sona and Ismail43 These results suggest that the psychological effects of the earthquake on individuals may increase feelings of loneliness and trigger feelings of loneliness. However, a study by Solmaz and colleagues, which contradicts our findings, did not find a significant relationship between loneliness and the loss of friends during the war or being alone during migration among adolescents.Reference Solmaz, Karataş and Kandemir44 These conflicting findings may arise from the complexity of the effects of different life experiences and traumatic events on individuals.
In our study, a significant negative relationship was found between loneliness and satisfaction with current living conditions. In other words, as satisfaction with living conditions increases, the level of loneliness decreases. Similar to our study, Okwaraji and colleagues reported that as life satisfaction decreases, the level of loneliness increases in their research on adolescents.Reference Okwaraji, Obiechina and Onyebueke45 These results indicate that satisfaction with living conditions plays an important role in individuals’ social relationships and levels of loneliness.
These findings emphasize that traumatic events like earthquakes have significant impacts on the psychological health of adolescents and highlight the importance of family, social support networks, and the living environment during this process. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen psychological support services and community solidarity after a disaster.
Practical Implications
The findings of this study highlight the critical role of social support in mitigating the adverse effects of loneliness among adolescents affected by natural disasters. Considering the significant negative relationship between perceived social support and loneliness, it is imperative to develop targeted psychosocial support programs. These programs should be designed to provide emotional support, enhance social skills, and strengthen social relationships among adolescents. School-based initiatives can be particularly effective, as schools are central hubs for social interaction and community support. Programs that foster peer support, encourage group activities, and provide counseling services can help adolescents build resilience and cope more effectively with the aftermath of disasters.
Community initiatives are equally important in addressing the psychosocial needs of adolescents. Local governments and non-governmental organizations should collaborate to create safe spaces where young people can express their feelings, share their experiences, and receive guidance from trained professionals. Community centers can serve as venues for workshops, support groups, and recreational activities that promote social engagement and emotional well-being. Furthermore, outreach programs that involve parents and caregivers can enhance the support network around adolescents, ensuring that they feel supported not only by their peers but also by their families and the broader community.
Public awareness campaigns can also play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of loneliness among disaster-affected adolescents. By educating the public about the importance of social support and the specific challenges faced by adolescents in the wake of natural disasters, these campaigns can foster a more supportive and understanding community environment. Informative sessions, brochures, and social media initiatives can provide valuable information on how to offer support, recognize signs of distress, and encourage adolescents to seek help when needed.
In addition to immediate post-disaster interventions, long-term strategies are essential for sustaining the well-being of adolescents. Continuous monitoring and follow-up services should be implemented to ensure that the support provided is effective and that adolescents’ needs are being met over time. Mental health professionals should be trained to identify and address the unique challenges that arise in the years following a disaster, adapting their approaches as needed to respond to evolving circumstances. Policy implications are also significant. Governments should integrate psychosocial support into disaster preparedness and response plans. Allocating resources for mental health services, training for educators and community leaders, and establishing protocols for emergency situations can enhance the overall resilience of communities. Policies that prioritize the mental health and social well-being of young people will ensure that they receive the necessary support to navigate the aftermath of disasters and other traumatic events.
Limitations and Recommendations for Future Studies
Despite the valuable insights provided by this study, several limitations must be acknowledged, which offer directions for future research. The sample was restricted to adolescents from 11 provinces in Turkey affected by the February 6th earthquake. While this provides a relevant context for examining the impact of natural disasters on adolescents, the findings may not be generalizable to all regions or to adolescents experiencing other types of traumatic events. Future studies should aim to include a more diverse sample from various geographic regions and different types of disasters to enhance the generalizability of the results.
The cross-sectional design of this study limits the ability to draw causal inferences between loneliness, social support, and the various demographic and experiential variables examined. Longitudinal studies are recommended to track changes over time and to establish causal relationships more robustly. Such studies could provide deeper insights into how social support networks and feelings of loneliness evolve following a disaster. Another limitation is the reliance on self-reported data, which can be subject to biases such as social desirability bias and recall bias. Adolescents might have either overestimated or underestimated their levels of loneliness and perceived social support. Future research should consider incorporating multiple data sources, including parent and teacher reports, as well as observational data, to triangulate findings and reduce the impact of self-report biases.
While this study focused on key variables such as social support, loneliness, and demographic factors, other potentially influential factors were not examined. Variables such as economic status, pre-existing mental health conditions, and the availability of community resources might also play crucial roles in adolescents’ responses to disasters. Including these variables in future research could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing adolescents’ psychological well-being after a disaster. In conclusion, while this study makes significant contributions to our understanding of the relationship between loneliness and social support in adolescents affected by an earthquake, addressing these limitations in future research will enhance the robustness and applicability of findings.
Conclusion
This study offers significant insights into the relationship between loneliness and social support among adolescents affected by the February 6th earthquake in Turkey. Our findings reveal a clear negative correlation between perceived social support and loneliness, emphasizing the crucial role that supportive social networks play in mitigating feelings of isolation among young people in the aftermath of natural disasters. Additionally, factors such as satisfaction with current living conditions, experiencing loss, and feeling lonely post-earthquake were identified as significant predictors of loneliness. These results underscore the importance of enhancing social support systems, community solidarity, and providing targeted psychosocial interventions to address the unique needs of adolescents during such traumatic events. The study also highlights the necessity of considering cultural and contextual factors when developing support strategies. By fostering environments that promote resilience and well-being, and by addressing the limitations identified in this research, future studies can contribute to more effective and comprehensive approaches to supporting adolescents’ mental health in the wake of natural disasters. Ultimately, these efforts will help ensure that affected young people are not only able to cope with their immediate experiences but also thrive in their long-term development and integration into society.
Author contributions
All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Study design: Fatma Kurudirek, Zülbiye Demir Barbak, Zeynep Demir İmamoğlu, Kamile Çiftci; Data collection: Fatma Kurudirek, Zülbiye Demir Barbak, Zeynep Demir İmamoğlu, Kamile Çiftci; Data analysis: Fatma Kurudirek, Zeynep Demir İmamoğlu; Manuscript writing: Fatma Kurudirek, Zülbiye Demir Barbak, Zeynep Demir İmamoğlu, Kamile Çiftci.
Funding statement
There was no funding for this study.
Competing interests
None.
Consent to participate
Written informed consent was obtained from the students participating in the study with the Voluntary Consent Form.
Consent for publication
Publication permission was obtained from the participants.
