The effect of disaster resilience and trauma exposure on PTSD, depression, and sleep disorder among healthcare workers involved in the Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes (2023): a structural equation model

Healthcare workers (HCWs) serve as the cornerstone of health services, which are among the primary needs during disasters. The chaotic environment caused by disasters can lead to mental health disorders in HCWs, similar to those experienced by disaster victims. Experiencing mental health disorders can hinder HCW’s professional approach to intervention. HCWs should not be overlooked for the possibility of experiencing mental health disorders while providing healthcare services during disasters. Therefore, this study aims to examine the impact of psychological resilience and trauma exposure on PTSD, depression, and sleep disorders among HCWs involved in the Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes, which were Turkey’s most devastating earthquakes. In this quantitative research, a survey technique was employed, reaching 642 hCWs involved in the Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test the impact of variables on each other. According to the SEM results, trauma exposure in the HCWs had a significant and positive effect on PTSD (β=+0.899, p = 0.000), depression (β=+0.685, p = 0.000), and sleep disorders (β=+0.603, p = 0.000). Psychological resilience had a significant and negative effect on PTSD (β=−0.278, p = 0.004) and depression (β=−0.322, p = 0.008). Surprisingly, psychological resilience had a significant and positive effect on sleep disorders (β=+0.692, p = 0.000). In conclusion, while trauma exposure led to PTSD, depression, and sleep disorders in the HCWs, psychological resilience mitigated PTSD and depression. Unexpectedly, psychological resilience increased sleep disorders. For this reason, it is recommended that future studies investigate in detail the reasons why HCWs experience sleep disorders and examine them in depth.