The relationship between post-traumatic stress and social support two years after fire disaster

Natural disasters negatively affect individuals living in the affected regions both psychologically and socially. The aim of this study is to examine post-traumatic stress and social support among survivors two years after the fire disaster. This descriptive and correlational study included a total of 202 individuals who were affected by a fire disaster two years ago. In the data collection, the "Information Form," "Impact of Events Scale," and "Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale" were used. Two years after the fire disaster, post-traumatic stress levels were found to be higher in women, those who experienced the fire at home, and those who lost their homes and livelihoods. Perceived social support significantly differed according to marital status, occupation, and income level of the participants. The results demonstrated a significant relationship between post-traumatic stress and perceived social support. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by addressing the limited research on the long-term psychosocial impacts of disasters on survivors. Our study points out the importance of mental health services in addressing the long-term mental health problems of the fire disaster.