Psychological and sensory correlates of post-earthquake trauma: the roles of tinnitus and empathy Tinnitus, Empathy, and Post-Earthquake Trauma

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Published: 2026-08-31
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47108/jidhealth.Vol9.Iss4.463
Keywords:
Earthquake, Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress, Tinnitus, Empathy, University Students, Türkiye

Main Article Content

Fatma Zehra Gümüş Selek
Department of Audiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, KTO Karatay University, Konya, Türkiye
Büşra Demirdağ
Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, KTO Karatay University, Konya, Türkiye
Ayşenur Demir Küçükköseler
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, KTO Karatay University, Konya, Türkiye

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to examine the associations between post-earthquake trauma levels, self-reported tinnitus symptoms, and empathy levels in university students.


Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected via an online survey from university students following the February 6, 2023 earthquake. Post-earthquake trauma levels were assessed using the Post-Earthquake Trauma Level Scale (PETLS), self-reported tinnitus symptoms were evaluated using the Skarzynski Tinnitus Scale (STS), and empathy levels were measured using the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ). Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed using SPSS.


Results: The mean age of participants was 20.90 ± 3.86 years, and the mean PETLS total score was 41.38 ± 13.30. A low but statistically significant positive correlation was observed between trauma levels and tinnitus scores (r = 0.220, p < 0.001). A statistically significant but weak positive correlation was also observed between trauma and empathy scores (r = 0.139, p = 0.029). In the multiple regression analysis, age (β = −0.206), tinnitus (β = 0.215), and empathy (β = 0.131) were identified as significant predictors of trauma levels. The model explained 11% of the variance (R² = 0.110, Adjusted R² = 0.099, p < 0.001).


Conclusion: Post-earthquake trauma was significantly associated with self-reported tinnitus symptoms and empathy, highlighting the potential interplay between psychological distress, sensory symptoms, and empathic tendencies following a large-scale disaster. These findings broaden the perspective on post-disaster trauma responses beyond traditional psychological outcomes, although their interpretation should remain cautious given the cross-sectional design and modest explanatory power of the model.

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 4 (2026)

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Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

1.
Psychological and sensory correlates of post-earthquake trauma: the roles of tinnitus and empathy: Tinnitus, Empathy, and Post-Earthquake Trauma. J Ideas Health [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 31 [cited 2026 Sep. 24];9(4):1466-72. Available from: https://www.jidhealth.com/index.php/jidhealth/article/view/463

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