Glob Health Action. 2026 Dec;19(1):2698916. doi: 10.1080/16549716.2026.2698916. Epub 2026 Jul 13.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The psychological impact of disasters extends beyond directly exposed populations to those indirectly affected through close social networks. Sex is a critical factor of post-trauma outcomes, yet its role in shaping the mental health of indirectly exposed individuals remains underexplored.
OBJECTIVE: This study investigates sex-based disparities in psychosocial distress among a cohort remotely exposed to a major earthquake.
METHODS: Approximately 3 months after the 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquakes, 129 Turkish medical students with indirect exposure (e.g. via affected relatives or close social circles) took part in this cross-sectional study, completing a structured anxiety survey and a self-report form. The self-report form assessed academic stress, health behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, exercise, and nutrition status), and lifestyle factors.
RESULTS: After Bonferroni correction, no variable remained statistically significant. However, using the Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate procedure, peer bullying was associated with sex (χ2(3) = 13.581, p_FDR = .046, Cramer’s V = 0.324). All other chi-square tests were nonsignificant under both correction methods.
CONCLUSION: After rigorous correction, sex differences were largely attenuated. Peer bullying showed a possible association under FDR, but not under Bonferroni, suggesting the need for larger confirmatory studies.
PMID:42438926 | DOI:10.1080/16549716.2026.2698916
