Survivor Guilt as a Mediator Between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Pessimism Schema After Türkiye-Syria Earthquake

This research examines the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics of the survivors and their changing social situations after the earthquake and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and survivor’s guilt. It also examines the mediating role of survivor guilt between early maladaptive schemas and PTSD severity. The study involved 127 people exposed to the 6 February 2023, southern and central Türkiye and northern and western Syria earthquake. Participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, changing living conditions due to the earthquake, and feelings and thoughts of survivor guilt were evaluated with online data forms. Young Schema-Short Form, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Control Checklist, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory were employed. There was a notable connection between survivor guilt, the pessimism schema, and the PTSD severity. Additionally, changes in the participants’ living conditions especially occurring during posttraumatic periods were associated with survivor guilt and PTSD levels. The mediation analysis indicated that survivor guilt partially mediates the relationship between the pessimism schema and PTSD severity. Focusing on the social conditions of survivors, pessimism schema, and survivor guilt will be beneficial in preventive interventions and treatment approaches for PTSD.