The role of self-compassion in the relationship of posttraumatic stress disorder with posttraumatic growth in Kahramanmaraş earthquakes survivors: a year on
Open accessAbstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) are two common posttraumatic reactions that may co-exist in individuals exposed to or witnessing an earthquake. There are a limited number of studies examining some mediating variables, such as self-efficacy and resilience in the relationship between PTSD and PTG in individuals exposed to traumatic experiences. However, these studies were not carried out with earthquake survivors, and self-compassion was not considered as a mediating variable. Therefore, in order to close this gap in the literature, the current study aims to reveal the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between PTSD and PTG in Kahramanmaraş earthquakes survivors. The data of the study were collected from 317 survivors of the February 6 earthquakes in Turkey (78.2% females), aged 18 and 52 (Mean = 24.12 ± 6.28). The results have indicated that PTSD was negatively correlated with self-compassion, whereas positively correlated with PTG. Self-compassion was found to be positively associated with PTG. More importantly, the findings have also revealed the mediating effect of self-compassion in the relationship between PTSD and PTG after controlling for gender, age, educational level, and marital status. The findings shed light on our understanding that self-compassion may not only play a protective role against the negative consequences of traumatic events, but also may be an effective mechanism in the transformation of PTSD into PTG. Moreover, the findings of the study have suggested that focusing on self-compassion may be functional for intervention programs aiming to prevent PTSD symptoms and increase PTG in earthquake victims.
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Mediation analysis indicated a significant indirect effect of PTSD-related symptoms on posttraumatic growth through self-compassion (unstandardized indirect ≈ −0.07, p < 0.01).
“mediation analysis indicated a significant indirect effect of PTSD-related symptoms on posttraumatic growth through self-compassion (unstandardized indirect ≈ − 0.07, p < 0.01)”
From Coping strategies and psychological outcomes following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes: a systematic review with meta-analytic synthesis (2026) · cites this paper as [32]
Studies conducted several months later-or closer to one year post-disaster-more consistently identified associations between coping processes and psychological outcomes, including posttraumatic growth.
“In contrast, studies conducted several months later—or closer to one year post-disaster—more consistently identified associations between coping processes and psychological outcomes, including posttraumatic growth (e.g., self-compassion and PTG) (32).”
From Coping strategies and psychological outcomes following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes: a systematic review with meta-analytic synthesis (2026) · cites this paper as [32]
Evidence from individual studies in the current review suggests that meaning-centered coping and self-compassion may be particularly relevant for growth-related outcomes.
“Evidence from individual studies in the current review suggests that meaning-centered coping and self-compassion may be particularly relevant for growth-related outcomes (32, 36).”
From Coping strategies and psychological outcomes following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes: a systematic review with meta-analytic synthesis (2026) · cites this paper as [32]
In one study, higher self-compassion was moderately associated with lower PTSD-related symptoms and positively associated with greater posttraumatic growth, and mediation analyses suggested that self-compassion partially explained the link between trauma symptoms and growth.
“In one study included in the review, higher self-compassion was moderately associated with lower PTSD-related symptoms and positively associated with greater posttraumatic growth, and mediation analyses suggested that self-compassion partially explained the link between trauma symptoms and growth (32).”
From Coping strategies and psychological outcomes following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes: a systematic review with meta-analytic synthesis (2026) · cites this paper as [32]
Preliminary findings suggest that self-compassion may support psychological growth and well-being for some survivors.
“Although evidence for self-compassion in disaster contexts remains limited, preliminary findings suggest that it may support psychological growth and well-being for some survivors (32).”
From Coping strategies and psychological outcomes following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes: a systematic review with meta-analytic synthesis (2026) · cites this paper as [32]
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“The PTGI includes 21 items, and 5 dimensions: Personal strength, spiritual change, appreciation of life, new possibilities, and relating to others (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996).”
InfluentialCloitre, M., Shevlin, M., Brewin, C. R., Bisson, J. I., Roberts, N. P., Maercker, A., Karatzias, T., & Hyland, P. (2018) · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/acps.12956 · Cited by 1,314 · see citing works
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“Vettese et al. ( 2011 ) have revealed that self-compassion can be functional to cope with upsetting events.”
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“For example, previous studies have found that PTSD is posi - tively associated with poorer quality of life (Pietrzak et al., 2015), social isolation (Van der Velden et al., 2018 ), sub - stance abuse (Kachadourian et al., 2014 ), sleep problems (Wang et al., 2021 ), and suicidal tendencies (Guo et…”
Self-compassion, trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review
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Çınaroğlu, M., & Yılmazer, E. (2026) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2026.1776931 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Evidence for religious coping and positive reappraisal is suggestive but heterogeneous, and PTG-related findings remain preliminary due to limited replication.”
Influential
- Authors
- Çağış, Z. G., & Akçe, İ.
- Affiliations
- Mardin Artuklu University (TR)
- Corresponding author
- Çağış, Zafer Güney
- Venue
- Current Psychology
- Published
- 2025-02-24
- Volume
- 44
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 5379-5387
- ISSN
- 1046-1310 (ISSN-L)
- 1936-4733
- OpenAlex
- W4407884336
- Cited by
- 7
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 1
- FWCI
- 8.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Current Psychology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Inonu University
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Resilience and Mental Health
- Keywords
- self-compassion, post-traumatic stress disorder, posttraumatic growth, earthquake survivors, Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, mediating effect, disaster survivors, PTSD prevention
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