The Relationship Between Sustainable Earthquake Awareness and Coping Strategies for Earthquake Stress Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE: This study explores the relationship between sustainable earthquake awareness and earthquake stress coping strategies among university students following the February 6, 2023, earthquake. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between March and April 2024, involving 239 university students. Following the STROBE checklist, data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Earthquake Stress Coping Scale (ESCS), and Sustainable Earthquake Awareness Scale (SEAS). Ethics approval was obtained, and data were gathered through face-to-face surveys. RESULTS: The average participant age was 21 years; 67.8% were women, and 20% had direct earthquake experience. Among participants, 67.4% reported negative academic impacts due to the earthquake. Higher SEAS scores were associated with higher income, prior earthquake experiences, having an emergency kit, securing belongings, and participation in earthquake training and drills. Higher ESCS social support-seeking scores correlated with higher income, earthquake preparedness training, drill participation, awareness of emergency meeting areas, and enrollment in the child development department. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight gaps in earthquake preparedness among university students while emphasizing the role of personal earthquake experiences in fostering awareness and adaptive coping strategies. Enhancing earthquake preparedness training could improve resilience among students in earthquake-prone regions.