| The main purpose of this study was to examine adolescents' post-disaster experiences and reactions 13 months after the devastating 1999 Marmara earthquake in Turkey. More specifically, goals included: (a) providing detailed information about the incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and behavior problems, (b) exploring the role of relative geographic exposure (proximity) to the earthquake by comparing adolescents in three different impact groups, and (c) examining the contribution of individual characteristics, family functioning, disaster related experiences, and post-disaster adversities in predicting adolescents' post-earthquake reactions.; Participants included 695 adolescents between 12 and 17 years, who resided in three districts of Izmit at varying distances from the epicenter (e.g., high (HI), medium (MI), and low impact (LI) areas). Measures included demographics, survey of earthquake exposure experiences and post-earthquake environment, The Child Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (RI), and Behavior Problems Index (BPI).; Findings revealed that 76% of adolescents reported moderate to very severe levels of PTSD symptomatology 13 months after the earthquake (i.e., 82% - HI; 70% - MI and 70% - LI). Analyses also indicated an increase in the frequency and severity levels of behavior difficulties. As hypothesized, the HI group reported more symptoms than did members of MI and LI groups. Surprisingly, the MI and LI groups did not differ significantly in terms of post-earthquake responses. Gender differences also emerged. Overall, females reported significantly higher levels of PTSD symptoms, and a greater number and more severe levels of behavior problems following the earthquake. However, no significant age differences emerged in adolescents' post-disaster responses. Regression analyses indicated the conceptual model developed for this study accounted for 39% of the variance in predicting PTSD symptoms, with degree of exposure as the best predictor of total variance, followed by gender. Contrary to hypotheses, support from parents and friends and parental reaction did not add significantly to predicting the outcome.; Findings of this study have clinical implications for designing and implementing effective, developmentally appropriate, and culturally sensitive intervention programs for the victims of major disasters. |
