EarthquakeNCT06288880
Impact of Earthquake Trauma on Nurses' Compassion Fatigue: A Study From Kahramanmaraş, Turkey
An observational study of Earthquake and Compassion Fatigue, run by Kilis 7 Aralik University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study investigates the impact of earthquake trauma on compassion fatigue among nurses working in emergency services following the devastating earthquakes on 6 February 2023, in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Earthquake, Compassion Fatigue
- How many people
- 250 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2024to 1 May 2024
- How long will I take part?
- 1 Year
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: The study targets emergency department nurses in areas affected by the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Turkey. These nurses, with at least one year of experience, have faced the disaster's challenges firsthand. The focus is on those actively involved in disaster response and recovery, excluding individuals with recent psychiatric conditions or medication that could influence stress levels. Participation is voluntary, ensuring data integrity and ethical standards. Nurses withdrawing from the study will have their data excluded.
Who may be able to join
- Working in the emergency department of a hospital located in a province affected by the
- February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes,
- Having worked in the emergency department for at least one year,
- Not having any psychiatric illness that could increase anxiety and stress levels in the last year,
- Not taking any medication that could affect anxiety and stress levels in the last year,
- Volunteering to participate in the study.
Who cannot join
- Data from nurses who wish to withdraw from the study after inclusion will not be considered for the research.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Islam Elagöz
Kilis, 79100
islam elagöz
Aynur koyuncu
About this study
Official title: The Impact of Earthquake Trauma on Compassion Fatigue Among Nurses Working in Emergency Services After the February 6th Kahramanmaraş (Turkey) Earthquakes: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
This study investigates the impact of earthquake trauma on compassion fatigue among nurses working in emergency services following the devastating earthquakes on 6 February 2023, in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. These earthquakes, with magnitudes of approximately 7.7 and 7.6, affected 11 provinces and resulted in over 50,000 deaths and 100,000 injuries, placing emergency service nurses at the forefront of dealing with the aftermath and trauma. The concept of compassion fatigue, characterised by a reduced capacity for empathy after repeated exposure to traumatic events, is a significant concern for nurses who have been directly involved in the care of earthquake victims. This study aims to explore the extent of earthquake trauma and compassion fatigue among these nurses, examining the relationship between these two conditions and their long-term effects. Given the limited research on post-traumatic stress disorder and compassion fatigue among emergency service nurses, this study seeks to contribute valuable insights into the psychological impacts of disaster response on healthcare professionals. The hypotheses tested aim to better understand the risks and psychological burdens faced by nurses in the wake of such natural disasters.
Read the detailed description
On 6 February 2023, two earthquakes with magnitudes of approximately 7.7 Mw and 7.6 Mw occurred at 04:17 and 13:24 local time, centred in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. These earthquakes affected a wide geographical area encompassing 11 provinces of Turkey (Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Malatya, Kilis, Diyarbakır, Adana, Osmaniye, Şanlıurfa, and Elâzığ), leading to significant destruction. As a result of this disaster, more than 50,000 people lost their lives, and over 100,000 were injured. Emergency service nurses, in particular, were at the forefront of this catastrophe, witnessing moments of intense trauma. Nurses working in emergency services had to care for patients with open wounds, closed and open fractures, vascular injuries, compartment syndrome, crush syndrome, amputations, and more. Such traumatic experiences have caused emergency service nurses to suffer from earthquake trauma to a greater extent. Consequently, stress disorders following trauma caused by the earthquake are a serious and common condition among emergency service nurses working in the earthquake zone.
Another issue encountered by emergency service nurses serving people exposed to trauma during the earthquake is compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue, a term coined by Joinson (1992) to describe the state of burnout experienced by nurses working in emergency services, is known in the international literature as "compassion fatigue" and is referred to as "şefkat yorgunluğu," "merhamet yorgunluğu," and "eş duyum yorgunluğu" in Turkey. Compassion fatigue is also known as secondary traumatic stress disorder, secondary victimisation, and indirect trauma. It is characterised by a reduced capacity for empathy following repeated exposure to traumatic situations experienced by others.
Exposure to such stressful and traumatic workplace events can lead to burnout, post-traumatic stress disorders, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues related to trau. A systematic review reported significant symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological distress among nurses working in the earthquake zone. Another study showed that 25% of emergency service nurses experienced severe depression and sleep disorders, with their anxiety levels being higher than those of nurses working in other unit. A systematic review covering the years 1989-2019 reported that 25.8% of emergency service nurses showed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder following experienced traumas. Looking at related studies on compassion fatigue, it is indicated that professionals exposed to trauma victims, such as emergency service workers, disaster workers, emergency service nurses, doctors, and social workers, are at a high risk of compassion fatigue.
In light of the current information, it is clearer that nurses serving in emergency services are at high risk for earthquake trauma and compassion fatigue. Especially in disaster situations like earthquakes, exposure to such conditions reaches its peak, significantly increasing this risk. It has been shown that nurses experiencing psychological health problems may have a decrease in care quality and an increased likelihood of making medical errors. Therefore, determining the level of earthquake trauma and compassion fatigue symptoms among nurses exposed to the 6 February Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, identifying the relationship between these two conditions, and determining their long-term effects will make significant contributions to the effective and efficient implementation of rehabilitation efforts. Given the limited number of studies examining post-traumatic stress disorder and compassion fatigue issues among emergency service nurses, this study is expected to make a significant contribution by identifying the level of earthquake trauma and compassion fatigue among nurses who experienced the 6 February Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and determining the relationship between them. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of earthquake trauma on compassion fatigue among nurses working in emergency services following the 6 February Kahramanmaraş earthquakes.
The following hypotheses will be tested within the scope of the research.
- Conditions
- Earthquake, Compassion Fatigue
- Keywords
- Earthquake Trauma, Compassion Fatigue, Emergency Service Nurses, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder, Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes, Psychological Impact, Healthcare Professionals, Disaster Response, Trauma Care
- Medical subject headings
- Compassion Fatigue, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Section 1: Demographic Information Form
This section of the data collection form includes questions aimed at identifying the nurses' age, gender, educational background, marital status, years of professional experience, years of experience in emergency services, monthly working hours after the earthquake, and work schedule (day, night, mixed). Additionally, this part contains questions regarding whether the nurses lost any relatives in the earthquake, the inhabitable damage to their homes, and if they were trapped under rubble. The Demographic Information Form consists of a total of 10 questions.
Measured: up to 12 weeks
Section 2: Post-Earthquake Trauma Level Determination Scale
The Post-Earthquake Trauma Level Determination Scale (PETLDS) was developed by Tarhan and Hayri in 2013. The scale comprises 5 sub-dimensions: "Behavioral Problems," "Emotional Restriction," "Sensory Structuring," "Cognitive Structuring," and "Sleep Problems," consisting of a total of 20 negatively phrased items. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress are measured on a five-point Likert scale ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree." The lowest possible score on the scale is 20, and the highest is 100, with higher scores indicating a greater level of impact from the earthquake. Reliability analyses conducted by the creators resulted in Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficients of 0.64 for the first sub-dimension, 0.75 for the second, 0.61 for the third, 0.68 for the fourth, and 0.70 for the fifth. The overall internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) for PETLDS was found to be 0.87. Cronbach's alpha will be recalculated with the research data.
Measured: up to 12 weeks
Section 3: Compassion Fatigue Short Scale
Originally developed by Figley in 1995, this scale has a total of 13 items divided into two sub-dimensions: "Burnout" and "Secondary Traumatic Stress." In 2006, Adams et al. revised the scale, reducing it from 30 items to 13. The revision resulted in a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.90. The dimensions were redefined by Adams et al. as "Workload" and "Secondary Traumatic Stress," with Cronbach's alpha coefficients for these sub-dimensions found to be 0.80 and 0.90, respectively. Each item on the scale is scored from 1 to 10, with total scores ranging from 13 to 130; higher scores indicate higher levels of compassion fatigue. The Turkish adaptation of the scale was conducted by Yıldırım and Cavcav in 2020, confirming its validity and reliability in the Turkish population. The Cronbach's alpha value for the Turkish version was calculated as 0.91 by Yıldırım and Cavcav. The Cronbach's alpha for this research will be recalculated based on the research data.
Measured: up to 12 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Mar 2024
- Study start1 Mar 2024 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Apr 2024 (estimated)
- Study completion1 May 2024 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for EarthquakeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 250 participants (estimated)
- Target duration
- 1 Year
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Kilis 7 Aralik University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Hasan Kalyoncu University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, İslam Elagöz, Kilis 7 Aralik University
- Investigators
- islam elagöz, MsC, Study director, devlet hastanesi
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06288880
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- kilis_4
- Status last verified
- Feb 2024
- First submitted
- 22 Feb 2024
- Last updated
- 1 Mar 2024
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Informed Consent: Participants will be briefed about data sharing, including purposes and data types shared. De-identification: Data will be anonymized to remove personal identifiers, ensuring privacy. Data Repository: A secure platform will host the data, with access controlled through a data access request system. Data Use Agreement: Users must agree to use the data solely for research, adhere to data security protocols, and acknowledge the original study in publications. Monitoring: Compliance with the data use agreement will be monitored to prevent misuse. Timeframe: IPD will be available for a specified period after the study's main findings are published, with eventual secure archiving or destruction of the data.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Mar 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Impact of Earthquake Trauma on Compassion Fatigue Among Nurses Working in Emergency Services After the February 6th Kahramanmaraş (Turkey) Earthquakes: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06288880
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- kilis_4
- Conditions
- Earthquake, Compassion Fatigue
- Keywords
- Earthquake Trauma, Compassion Fatigue, Emergency Service Nurses, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder, Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes, Psychological Impact, Healthcare Professionals
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 250 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Kilis 7 Aralik UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Hasan Kalyoncu University
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2024 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Apr 2024 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 May 2024 (estimated)
- First posted
- 1 Mar 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study investigates the impact of earthquake trauma on compassion fatigue among nurses working in emergency services following the devastating earthquakes on 6 February 2023, in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. These earthquakes, with magnitudes of approximately 7.7 and 7.6, affected 11 provinces and resulted in over 50,000 deaths and 100,000 injuries, placing emergency service nurses at the forefront of dealing with the aftermath and trauma. The concept of compassion fatigue, characterised by a reduced capacity for empathy after repeated exposure to traumatic events, is a significant concern for nurses who have been directly involved in the care of earthquake victims. This study aims to explore the extent of earthquake trauma and compassion fatigue among these nurses, examining the relationship between these two conditions and their long-term effects. Given the limited research on post-traumatic stress disorder and compassion fatigue among emergency service nurses, this study seeks to contribute valuable insights into the psychological impacts of disaster response on healthcare professionals. The hypotheses tested aim to better understand the risks and psychological burdens faced by nurses in the wake of such natural disasters.
Detailed description
On 6 February 2023, two earthquakes with magnitudes of approximately 7.7 Mw and 7.6 Mw occurred at 04:17 and 13:24 local time, centred in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. These earthquakes affected a wide geographical area encompassing 11 provinces of Turkey (Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Malatya, Kilis, Diyarbakır, Adana, Osmaniye, Şanlıurfa, and Elâzığ), leading to significant destruction. As a result of this disaster, more than 50,000 people lost their lives, and over 100,000 were injured. Emergency service nurses, in particular, were at the forefront of this catastrophe, witnessing moments of intense trauma. Nurses working in emergency services had to care for patients with open wounds, closed and open fractures, vascular injuries, compartment syndrome, crush syndrome, amputations, and more. Such traumatic experiences have caused emergency service nurses to suffer from earthquake trauma to a greater extent. Consequently, stress disorders following trauma caused by the earthquake are a serious and common condition among emergency service nurses working in the earthquake zone.
Another issue encountered by emergency service nurses serving people exposed to trauma during the earthquake is compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue, a term coined by Joinson (1992) to describe the state of burnout experienced by nurses working in emergency services, is known in the international literature as "compassion fatigue" and is referred to as "şefkat yorgunluğu," "merhamet yorgunluğu," and "eş duyum yorgunluğu" in Turkey. Compassion fatigue is also known as secondary traumatic stress disorder, secondary victimisation, and indirect trauma. It is characterised by a reduced capacity for empathy following repeated exposure to traumatic situations experienced by others.
Exposure to such stressful and traumatic workplace events can lead to burnout, post-traumatic stress disorders, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues related to trau. A systematic review reported significant symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological distress among nurses working in the earthquake zone. Another study showed that 25% of emergency service nurses experienced severe depression and sleep disorders, with their anxiety levels being higher than those of nurses working in other unit. A systematic review covering the years 1989-2019 reported that 25.8% of emergency service nurses showed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder following experienced traumas. Looking at related studies on compassion fatigue, it is indicated that professionals exposed to trauma victims, such as emergency service workers, disaster workers, emergency service nurses, doctors, and social workers, are at a high risk of compassion fatigue.
In light of the current information, it is clearer that nurses serving in emergency services are at high risk for earthquake trauma and compassion fatigue. Especially in disaster situations like earthquakes, exposure to such conditions reaches its peak, significantly increasing this risk. It has been shown that nurses experiencing psychological health problems may have a decrease in care quality and an increased likelihood of making medical errors. Therefore, determining the level of earthquake trauma and compassion fatigue symptoms among nurses exposed to the 6 February Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, identifying the relationship between these two conditions, and determining their long-term effects will make significant contributions to the effective and efficient implementation of rehabilitation efforts. Given the limited number of studies examining post-traumatic stress disorder and compassion fatigue issues among emergency service nurses, this study is expected to make a significant contribution by identifying the level of earthquake trauma and compassion fatigue among nurses who experienced the 6 February Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and determining the relationship between them. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of earthquake trauma on compassion fatigue among nurses working in emergency services following the 6 February Kahramanmaraş earthquakes.
The following hypotheses will be tested within the scope of the research.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Target follow-up
- 1 Year
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- The study targets emergency department nurses in areas affected by the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Turkey. These nurses, with at least one year of experience, have faced the disaster's challenges firsthand. The focus is on those actively involved in disaster response and recovery, excluding individuals with recent psychiatric conditions or medication that could influence stress levels. Participation is voluntary, ensuring data integrity and ethical standards. Nurses withdrawing from the study will have their data excluded.
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Working in the emergency department of a hospital located in a province affected by the
- February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes,
- Having worked in the emergency department for at least one year,
- Not having any psychiatric illness that could increase anxiety and stress levels in the last year,
- Not taking any medication that could affect anxiety and stress levels in the last year,
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Data from nurses who wish to withdraw from the study after inclusion will not be considered for the research.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Section 1: Demographic Information Form
Time frame: up to 12 weeks
This section of the data collection form includes questions aimed at identifying the nurses' age, gender, educational background, marital status, years of professional experience, years of experience in emergency services, monthly working hours after the earthquake, and work schedule (day, night, mixed). Additionally, this part contains questions regarding whether the nurses lost any relatives in the earthquake, the inhabitable damage to their homes, and if they were trapped under rubble. The Demographic Information Form consists of a total of 10 questions.
Section 2: Post-Earthquake Trauma Level Determination Scale
Time frame: up to 12 weeks
The Post-Earthquake Trauma Level Determination Scale (PETLDS) was developed by Tarhan and Hayri in 2013. The scale comprises 5 sub-dimensions: "Behavioral Problems," "Emotional Restriction," "Sensory Structuring," "Cognitive Structuring," and "Sleep Problems," consisting of a total of 20 negatively phrased items. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress are measured on a five-point Likert scale ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree." The lowest possible score on the scale is 20, and the highest is 100, with higher scores indicating a greater level of impact from the earthquake. Reliability analyses conducted by the creators resulted in Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficients of 0.64 for the first sub-dimension, 0.75 for the second, 0.61 for the third, 0.68 for the fourth, and 0.70 for the fifth. The overall internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) for PETLDS was found to be 0.87. Cronbach's alpha will be recalculated with the research data.
Section 3: Compassion Fatigue Short Scale
Time frame: up to 12 weeks
Originally developed by Figley in 1995, this scale has a total of 13 items divided into two sub-dimensions: "Burnout" and "Secondary Traumatic Stress." In 2006, Adams et al. revised the scale, reducing it from 30 items to 13. The revision resulted in a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.90. The dimensions were redefined by Adams et al. as "Workload" and "Secondary Traumatic Stress," with Cronbach's alpha coefficients for these sub-dimensions found to be 0.80 and 0.90, respectively. Each item on the scale is scored from 1 to 10, with total scores ranging from 13 to 130; higher scores indicate higher levels of compassion fatigue. The Turkish adaptation of the scale was conducted by Yıldırım and Cavcav in 2020, confirming its validity and reliability in the Turkish population. The Cronbach's alpha value for the Turkish version was calculated as 0.91 by Yıldırım and Cavcav. The Cronbach's alpha for this research will be recalculated based on the research data.
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Mar 2024.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Informed Consent: Participants will be briefed about data sharing, including purposes and data types shared. De-identification: Data will be anonymized to remove personal identifiers, ensuring privacy. Data Repository: A secure platform will host the data, with access controlled through a data access request system. Data Use Agreement: Users must agree to use the data solely for research, adhere to data security protocols, and acknowledge the original study in publications. Monitoring: Compliance with the data use agreement will be monitored to prevent misuse. Timeframe: IPD will be available for a specified period after the study's main findings are published, with eventual secure archiving or destruction of the data.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
islam elagöz, MsC study director
devlet hastanesi
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Earthquake and Compassion Fatigue, run by Kilis 7 Aralik University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Mar 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact islam RA ELAGÖZ, MsC (+905304096124, islam.elagoz@kilis.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Section 1: Demographic Information Form (time frame: up to 12 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Mar 2024.