Disaster Experience of Turkey: An Overview from a Psychological Perspective

Authors

  • Tamer Aker Medical School of Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey Author
  • Özgür Erdur-Baker Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey Author
  • Ilgin Gokler-Danisman Department of Psychology, Maltepe University, Turkey Author
  • Banu Yilmaz Department of Psychology, Ankara University, Turkey Author

Keywords:

Turkey, disaster, psychotrauma, Marmara earthquake

Abstract

This article discusses the history and impact of natural disasters on Turkish society, with a focus on the psychological effects of the 1999 Marmara earthquake. Despite traumatic experiences being a part of Turkish culture for centuries, psychological trauma studies were a recent development. The article reviews the evolution of research in the area, with a significant increase in publications after the 1999 earthquake. The paper covers empirical research on disasters and trauma, and examines how grief and psychotrauma have been addressed in Turkish society.

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Published

2012-12-31

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2012): PJSCP

Section

Articles