Emotional and Behavioural Problems of Children and Youth With Intellectual Disabilities Following the February 6 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake: A Mixed-Methods Study.

BACKGROUND

The February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquake was associated with various emotional and behavioural difficulties observed in children with intellectual disabilities, who were exposed to the disaster either directly or indirectly. This study examined these emotional and behavioural outcomes among children and youth with intellectual disabilities in Türkiye.

METHODS

A mixed-methods approach was employed. Quantitatively, teachers completed the ASEBA Teacher's Report Form for 52 participants, and data were analysed using Mann-Whitney U tests. Qualitatively, the House-Tree-Person test was administered to a subsample (n = 15) to explore emotional indicators.

RESULTS

Quantitative results showed significant social, attention, thought, and aggressive problems, with boys exhibiting higher levels of rule-breaking and aggressive behaviours than girls. Qualitative findings confirmed emotional and behavioural difficulties.

CONCLUSION

These findings reveal an urgent need for post-earthquake psychosocial support and the development of needs-based educational programs for children and youth with intellectual disabilities.