Impact of Earthquake Trauma on Nurses' Compassion Fatigue: A Study From Kahramanmaraş, Turkey

NCT06288880 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: kilis_4
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 250
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigates the impact of earthquake trauma on compassion fatigue among nurses working in emergency services following the devastating earthquakes on 6 February 2023, in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. These earthquakes, with magnitudes of approximately 7.7 and 7.6, affected 11 provinces and resulted in over 50,000 deaths and 100,000 injuries, placing emergency service nurses at the forefront of dealing with the aftermath and trauma. The concept of compassion fatigue, characterised by a reduced capacity for empathy after repeated exposure to traumatic events, is a significant concern for nurses who have been directly involved in the care of earthquake victims. This study aims to explore the extent of earthquake trauma and compassion fatigue among these nurses, examining the relationship between these two conditions and their long-term effects. Given the limited research on post-traumatic stress disorder and compassion fatigue among emergency service nurses, this study seeks to contribute valuable insights into the psychological impacts of disaster response on healthcare professionals. The hypotheses tested aim to better understand the risks and psychological burdens faced by nurses in the wake of such natural disasters.

Conditions

Earthquake; Compassion Fatigue

Keywords

Earthquake Trauma; Compassion Fatigue; Emergency Service Nurses; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder; Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes; Psychological Impact; Healthcare Professionals; Disaster Response; Trauma Care

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Section 1: Demographic Information Form

  This section of the data collection form includes questions aimed at identifying the nurses' age, gender, educational background, marital status, years of professional experience, years of experience in emergency services, monthly working hours after the earthquake, and work schedule (day, night, mixed). Additionally, this part contains questions regarding whether the nurses lost any relatives in the earthquake, the inhabitable damage to their homes, and if they were trapped under rubble. The Demographic Information Form consists of a total of 10 questions.

  up to 12 weeks

• Section 2: Post-Earthquake Trauma Level Determination Scale

  The Post-Earthquake Trauma Level Determination Scale (PETLDS) was developed by Tarhan and Hayri in 2013. The scale comprises 5 sub-dimensions: "Behavioral Problems," "Emotional Restriction," "Sensory Structuring," "Cognitive Structuring," and "Sleep Problems," consisting of a total of 20 negatively phrased items. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress are measured on a five-point Likert scale ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree." The lowest possible score on the scale is 20, and the highest is 100, with higher scores indicating a greater level of impact from the earthquake. Reliability analyses conducted by the creators resulted in Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficients of 0.64 for the first sub-dimension, 0.75 for the second, 0.61 for the third, 0.68 for the fourth, and 0.70 for the fifth. The overall internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) for PETLDS was found to be 0.87. Cronbach's alpha will be recalculated with the research data.

  up to 12 weeks

• Section 3: Compassion Fatigue Short Scale

  Originally developed by Figley in 1995, this scale has a total of 13 items divided into two sub-dimensions: "Burnout" and "Secondary Traumatic Stress." In 2006, Adams et al. revised the scale, reducing it from 30 items to 13. The revision resulted in a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.90. The dimensions were redefined by Adams et al. as "Workload" and "Secondary Traumatic Stress," with Cronbach's alpha coefficients for these sub-dimensions found to be 0.80 and 0.90, respectively. Each item on the scale is scored from 1 to 10, with total scores ranging from 13 to 130; higher scores indicate higher levels of compassion fatigue. The Turkish adaptation of the scale was conducted by Yıldırım and Cavcav in 2020, confirming its validity and reliability in the Turkish population. The Cronbach's alpha value for the Turkish version was calculated as 0.91 by Yıldırım and Cavcav. The Cronbach's alpha for this research will be recalculated based on the research data.

  up to 12 weeks

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study targets emergency department nurses in areas affected by the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Turkey. These nurses, with at least one year of experience, have faced the disaster's challenges firsthand. The focus is on those actively involved in disaster response and recovery, excluding individuals with recent psychiatric conditions or medication that could influence stress levels. Participation is voluntary, ensuring data integrity and ethical standards. Nurses withdrawing from the study will have their data excluded.

You may qualify if:

• Working in the emergency department of a hospital located in a province affected by the
• February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes,
• Having worked in the emergency department for at least one year,
• Not having any psychiatric illness that could increase anxiety and stress levels in the last year,
• Not taking any medication that could affect anxiety and stress levels in the last year,
• Volunteering to participate in the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kilis 7 Aralik University: lead
• Hasan Kalyoncu University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Islam Elagöz

Kilis, 79100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Compassion Fatigue; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Fatigue; Fatigue; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Occupational Stress; Stress, Psychological; Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• islam elagöz, MsC

  devlet hastanesi

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

islam RA ELAGÖZ, MsC

CONTACT

+905304096124; islam.elagoz@kilis.edu.tr

Aynur KOYUNCU, PhD

CONTACT

+905304096124; aynur.koyuncu@yahoo.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Target Duration: 1 Year
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Researcher Asisstan

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 22, 2024
• First Posted: March 1, 2024
• Study Start: March 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2024
• Study Completion: May 1, 2024
• Last Updated: March 1, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)