Latent profile analysis of earthquake victims: doomscrolling, psychological well-being, emotion regulation and resilience

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the participant profiles of individuals who directly experienced the two major earthquakes centered in Kahramanmara & scedil;, T & uuml;rkiye, on February 6, 2023, based on their levels of doomscrolling, psychological well-being, emotion regulation, and psychological resilience after these experiences. The second aim of the research is to determine whether these profiles are related to the participants' socio-demographic characteristics. A total of 578 adults who experienced the major earthquakes affecting 10 provinces of T & uuml;rkiye, centered in Kahramanmara & scedil;, were included in the study through online platforms. Data were collected using self-report scales. The data were analyzed using latent profile analysis. The relationship between participant profiles and socio-demographic variables was examined using the chi-square test. The study results identified three different profiles among the participants. These three profiles differ in terms of post-earthquake psychological well-being, resilience, and emotion regulation skills; the first profile is characterized by a high level of psychological well-being and low levels of suppression and doomscrolling, the second profile is balanced at an average level across all parameters, and the third profile stands out with low psychological well-being and high levels of suppression. Significant relationships were found between psychological profiles and gender, age, city of residence, and parenthood status. Employment status and marital status did not have a noticeable effect on psychological profiles.