Effects of the Integrated Grief Therapy on Psychological Resilience, Post-Traumatic Growth, Traumatic Stress, and Grief Processes in Earthquake Survivors

Effects of the Integrated Grief Therapy on Earthquake Survivors

This study evaluates the effectiveness of an Integrated Grief Therapy (IGT) group program for adults affected by the February 6, 2023 earthquake in Türkiye. Many earthquake survivors experience psychological difficulties such as traumatic stress, grief, and reduced resilience after losing loved ones, homes, and a sense of safety. This study aims to determine whether a structured group-based therapy program can help improve psychological well-being and reduce distress.

A total of 190 adult participants who experienced the earthquake were included in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a waitlist control group. The experimental group participated in an 8-session Integrated Grief Therapy program delivered face-to-face by trained mental health professionals. The program included psychoeducation about grief, emotional expression, cognitive and behavioral coping strategies, and activities designed to support meaning-making and adaptation after loss. The control group continued to receive routine psychosocial support services available in the community but did not participate in the structured therapy during the study period.

All participants completed standardized psychological assessments before and after the intervention. These assessments measured psychological resilience, post-traumatic growth, grief-related difficulties, and traumatic stress symptoms.

The study aims to determine whether participants who receive the Integrated Grief Therapy program show greater improvements in resilience and post-traumatic growth, and greater reductions in traumatic stress and grief symptoms, compared to those who do not receive the intervention during the same period.

The findings from this study may help inform the development of effective, scalable mental health interventions for individuals affected by large-scale disasters.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18 to 45 years
• Individuals who were present in Hatay, Türkiye during the 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquakes
• Individuals directly affected by the earthquake
• Ability to provide informed consent
• Willingness to participate in group-based psychological intervention sessions

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current diagnosis of a psychotic disorder or severe mental disorder
• Severe cognitive impairment or neurological condition
• Acute suicidal risk requiring immediate intervention or hospitalization
• Currently receiving intensive psychiatric or psychological treatment
• Substance use disorder in an acute or severe phase
• Inability to commit to attending the full intervention program
• Declined or withdrew informed consent