Evaluating Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Earthquake Survivors: A Controlled Trial

Traumatic events such as earthquakes often lead to significant psychological distress among survivors. The 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake in Turkey, causing extensive physical destruction, also resulted in severe mental health challenges. This study evaluates the efficacy of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression among earthquake survivors. Initially, 70 participants were randomly assigned to either a treatment group, which underwent 12 sessions of manualized TF-CBT, or a control group that received no intervention. Due to withdrawals, the study concluded with 56 participants. Assessments were conducted using the PTSD Checklist (PCL), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) at baseline, after the sixth and twelfth sessions, and at a three-month follow-up. Results showed substantial improvements in the treatment group, with PTSD scores decreasing from an average of 37.5 to 20.4, depression scores from 31.5 to 24.2, and anxiety scores from 31.5 to 24.2. These findings suggest that TF-CBT significantly mitigates the psychological aftermath of earthquakes, enhancing resilience and recovery among survivors. Furthermore, the successful application of TF-CBT in this context supports its integration into disaster response frameworks, advocating for its use as a standard part of treatment offerings post-disaster. These insights are critical for planning future mental health interventions in disaster-affected populations, ensuring that mental health recovery is an integral part of the overall disaster response. The study highlights the importance of early psychological intervention and structured therapeutic approaches in managing trauma-related disorders among earthquake survivors.