Healing Together: Pretest–Posttest Evaluation of a Group Intervention for Women Earthquake Survivors in Türkiye

Purpose: On February 6, 2023, two catastrophic earthquakes struck Türkiye, with epicenters in Kahramanmaraş, affecting 11 cities including Hatay. This study evaluated Healing Together, a culturally adapted cognitive-behavioral therapy-based psychosocial group intervention, in reducing psychological distress and enhancing emotional regulation and mindfulness among women survivors. Method: Sixty women participated (30 each from Kahramanmaraş and Hatay) in a pretest-posttest design with a 3-month follow-up. Primary outcomes included symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Results: Repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant reductions in psychological symptoms postintervention, sustained at follow-up: Stress ( F (1,52) = 17.31, p < .001), anxiety ( F (1,52) = 16.61, p < .001), depression ( F (1,50) = 27.53, p < .001), and PTSD ( F (1,53) = 8.80, p < .05). Site-specific effects revealed declines in anxiety and depression in Hatay, and reductions in stress, depression, PTSD, and improved emotional regulation in Kahramanmaraş. Qualitative feedback highlighted empowerment, confidence-building, and self-care. Discussion: Findings underscore the importance of culturally and contextually informed psychosocial interventions in postdisaster mental health care.