Youth Experiences and Coping Strategies in a Correctional Facility During the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake in Türkiye

Abstract

This study explored the experiences and coping mechanisms of youth in a correctional facility during the 2023 earthquake in Türkiye. The study utilized qualitative descriptive design, adopting a phenomenological approach, and involved conducting in-depth interviews with 15 youths who had experienced the earthquake while in a correctional facility and were subsequently transferred to a secure facility in another city. Three main themes were identified: “earthquake experiences,” “experiences during the earthquake-to-transfer period,” and “post-transfer experiences.” Earthquake experiences revealed how spatial marginalization affected youth experiences during the earthquake and the facility's disaster management response. It was found that the spatial marginalization exacerbated trauma, and swift intervention by facility staff prevented chaos. During the earthquake-to-transfer period, peer support emerged as a significant coping mechanism, alongside heightened anxiety about family. While religious beliefs, relationships with facility staff, and peer and family support emerged as important coping mechanisms, the youth envisioned a future with their families, away from crime. The main recommendations include the development of disaster management plans for correctional facilities with regular training for inmates and staff, and the use of trauma-informed care and empowerment approaches by mental health professionals, focusing on youth strengths and coping mechanisms.