The Impact of Earthquakes on Parents’ Communication with Their Children in the Context of Local Dynamics

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of earthquake on parents and their communication with their preschool children in the context of local dynamics. The study was conducted with a relational screening model. The study group consisted of parents of children aged 3-7 who live in Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Osmaniye, Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Kilis, Adana and Malatya, which are local regions of Türkiye affected by the earthquake, and who are studying in preschool education institutions. Data were collected using the Mother-Father-Child Communication Assessment Tool and the Event Impact Scale-R. According to the research findings; it was determined that mothers were more affected by earthquakes, children perceived earthquakes through concrete events and could not understand the cause-effect relationship, fear of earthquake increased the feeling of anxiety and insecurity in children, and the loss of a family member in an earthquake increased the fear of earthquake in children. In addition, it was observed that mothers who were primary school graduates talked less about earthquakes with their children and that fear of earthquake did not change according to the gender of the child. These results show that the effects of the earthquake are also shaped by the socio-cultural structure, education level and lifestyles of the place where the earthquake occurs. When evaluated in the context of locality, it was determined that the post-disaster communication styles and emotional reactions of children are related to the unique conditions of the geography where they live..