Healing Together: Changes in Psychosocial Responses Through Post‐Earthquake Child–Parent Relationship Therapy

Objective This qualitative study examines the psychosocial responses of parents and children affected by the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Türkiye and evaluates the impact of Child–Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) on these processes. Background Earthquakes have multidimensional psychosocial effects on children and parents. Limited evidence on parent‐involved early childhood interventions highlights the need to assess CPRT effectiveness. Method Using a phenomenological design, semi‐structured interviews were conducted pre‐intervention, post‐intervention, and 2‐month follow‐up. Thematic analysis examined parent and child psychosocial responses and perceived CPRT effects across a CPRT intervention group, an active control group receiving disaster awareness training, and a no‐intervention control group. Results Two main themes emerged: Parents' Post‐Earthquake Psychosocial Responses and Their Change Over Time and Children's Post‐Earthquake Psychosocial Responses and Their Change Over Time. Findings indicate that CPRT effectively reduced psychosocial difficulties in parents and children. Conclusion Mothers' accounts indicated that CPRT contributed to improvements in maternal emotional well‐being and parenting and to reductions in children's post‐disaster emotional and behavioral difficulties. Implications As a play‐therapy‐based, family‐centered intervention, CPRT offers a structured and applicable model for social work and mental health professionals working with families after natural disasters.