Emotion regulation and social interaction in an earthquake survivor child: a case study

This single case study presents observations of a 4-year-old girl who was directly affected by the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey. Over seven months, weekly young child observations based on the Tavistock model were conducted in her kindergarten, supplemented by interviews with her father and teacher. The focus was on her everyday experiences of peer contact, play, and separation during her adjustment to a new environment. The observations describe moments of solitary and earthquake-related play, as well as behaviours such as clinging to her father and to his water bottle, which appeared to offer reassurance. While her father and teacher regarded her as settling in, the material suggests that her transition was complex and marked by fluctuations in closeness, withdrawal, and symbolic expression in play. The study illustrates how detailed observation can offer insight into the lived experience of a young child in the aftermath of a disruptive event, without drawing premature conclusions.