The Relationship Between Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Care Behaviors Among Clinical Nurses After the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake: A Descriptive Correlational Study

AIM: This study aimed to examine the relationship between traumatic stress symptoms and care behaviors among clinical nurses who survived the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquake, referred to as the Disaster of the Century.

METHODS: This descriptive correlational study was conducted online between April 26 and June 26, 2023, with nurses working in a city affected by the earthquake (n = 300). Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the Nurse Introductory Information Form, the Traumatic Stress Symptoms Scale, and the Care Behaviors Inventory-24 through Google Forms. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis in SPSS version 25.0. Statistical significance was set at p < .001.

RESULTS: The mean score of the Care Behaviors Inventory was 4.21 ± 1.07, indicating a high level of care behaviors. The total mean score of the Traumatic Stress Symptoms Scale was 57.24 ± 13.88, reflecting high levels of traumatic stress symptoms. A strong negative correlation was found between traumatic stress symptoms and care behaviors (r = −.778, p < .001).

CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that although nurses experienced high levels of traumatic stress symptoms after the earthquake, they continued to demonstrate high levels of caring behaviors and maintained patient care despite significant stress.

Cite this article as: Ak.oban, S., & Yüksel, H. (2026). The relationship between traumatic stress symptoms and care behaviors among clinical nurses after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake: A descriptive correlational study. Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing, 34, 0053, doi:10.5152/FNJN.2026.25053.