<b>Religious and Secular Coping Mechanisms in Disaster Recovery: A Comparative Study of Psychological Outcomes Among Earthquake Survivors in Kahramanmaraş and Hatay</b>

Background: This study examines the impact of religious and secular coping mechanisms on psychological outcomes among survivors of the February 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake, focusing on Kahramanmaraş and Hatay, which have contrasting religious practices. Objective: To evaluate how religious and secular coping mechanisms influence prolonged grief, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and well-being among earthquake survivors, and to propose culturally sensitive interventions based on the coping styles prevalent in different communities. Method: A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 429 participants from Kahramanmaraş and Hatay. Participants were assessed using the Prolonged Grief Scale (PG-13-Revised), Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, t-tests, correlation analyses, and structural equation modeling. Results: Participants from Kahramanmaraş, where religious practices are predominant, showed significantly lower levels of prolonged grief (mean score: 32.8 vs. 45.2), PTSD (mean score: 40.5 vs. 50.3), anxiety (mean score: 18.3 vs. 24.6), and depression (mean score: 22.4 vs. 29.5), and higher well-being (mean score: 45.9 vs. 38.7) compared to Hatay, where secular coping mechanisms are more common. The t-test results were significant (p < 0.001) for all measured outcomes, confirming that religious coping mechanisms have a protective effect against psychological distress following the disaster. Conclusion: The findings suggest that religious coping mechanisms play a crucial role in mitigating psychological distress and enhancing well-being among disaster survivors. The study highlights the importance of incorporating cultural and religious elements into mental health interventions to enhance their effectiveness, particularly in disaster-affected regions with strong religious identities.