Open Access

ARTICLE

Post-Earthquake Well-Being, Trauma, and Physical Activity Motivations in Young Adults

Yalin Aygun^1,*, Şakir Tufekci¹, Burak Canpolat², Fatih Harun Turhan³, Burak Yagin⁴, Sacide Tufekci⁵, Georgian Badicu⁶, Moazzam Tanveer^7,8, İsmet Seval¹, Hülya Berktaş¹
1 Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, İnönü University, Malatya, Türkiye
2 Department of Physical Education and Sport on Disabilities, Faculty of Sport Sciences, İnönü University, Malatya, Türkiye
3 Department of Sport Management, Hasan Dogan Faculty of Sport Sciences, Karabuk University, Karabuk, Türkiye
4 Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Türkiye
5 Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Türkiye
6 Department of Physical Education and Special Motricity, Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports, Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania
7 School of Physical Education and Sport Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
8 Department of Allied Health Sciences, Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan
* Corresponding Author: Yalin Aygun. Email:

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2026.077338

Received 07 December 2025; Accepted 29 May 2026; Published online 17 July 2026

Abstract

Background: Large-scale earthquakes may substantially affect university students’ psychological functioning, motivation, and overall well-being. Understanding these multidimensional psychosocial processes is essential for developing effective post-disaster mental health and physical activity interventions. This study examined psychological well-being, post-earthquake trauma symptoms, recreational sport well-being, and sport motivation among university students studying in Türkiye’s earthquake-affected region. In addition, demographic and contextual factors were explored to better understand psychosocial differences in post-disaster adaptation. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed with 651 sport sciences students from two universities located in the 2023 earthquake zone. Data were collected using an online questionnaire including the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS), Post-Earthquake Trauma Assessment Scale (PETAS), Recreational Sport Well-Being Scale (RSWBS), and Sport Motivation Scale–6 (SMS-6). Group comparisons and associations were examined using nonparametric tests and Spearman correlations. Additional multivariate regression, mediation, and moderation analyses were conducted to clarify relationships among key variables. Results: Female students reported significantly higher trauma-related symptoms, whereas male students demonstrated higher psychological well-being (p = 0.047, r = 0.077). Higher income and advanced academic year were associated with higher well-being and recreational well-being scores (η² = 0.014–0.028). Trauma symptoms were negatively associated with well-being indicators, while psychological and recreational well-being showed positive correlations (p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses indicated that emotional restriction and behavioral problems were the strongest negative predictors of well-being. Conclusion: The findings suggest that post-disaster psychosocial functioning among university students reflects a multidimensional structure in which trauma symptoms, well-being, motivation, and recreational engagement coexist in meaningful associations. Emotional processes, behavioral functioning, and socioeconomic resources appear particularly relevant for understanding well-being differences, supporting the importance of multidimensional, resource-sensitive post-disaster interventions in university settings.

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Keywords

Psychological well-being; post-earthquake trauma; physical activity; sport motivation; university students

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