Browsing by Author "Ayhan, C.H."

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12 Years After Roboski: Prolonged Grief and Posttraumatic Effects
(American Psychological Association, 2025) Ayhan, C.H.; Tanhan, F.; Yağan, F.; Avcı Erdal, N.; Öztürk, G.; Bedir, G.; Aslangiri, S.
Objective: The Roboski massacre, which took place on December 28, 2011, is remembered as a major tragedy resulting from a cross-border operation by the Turkish Air Force that led to the loss of 34 civilians, including 19 children. This event not only caused significant physical losses but also left a profound psychological, social, and political impact on those affected. An enhanced comprehension of prolonged grief disorder’s development can assist professionals in identifying bereaved individuals requiring assistance and augment the efficacy of treatments. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the grief process and symptoms of posttraumatic stress, perceived discrimination, and political trust within the framework of the theory of prolonged grief in a sample of the bereaved family members who lost their relatives in the Roboski massacre almost 12 years postloss. Method: In total, 88 Kurdish individuals (Mage = 37.13, SD = 16.4; 53.4% males) who had lost their close relatives in the Roboski incident in 2011 participated in this study. The Prolonged Grief Scale, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, the Perceived Discrimination Scale, and the Political Trust Scale were used to collect data. Results: The findings of the study revealed that, even approximately 12 years after the Roboski massacre, a significant portion of the participants continue to experience symptoms of prolonged grief and posttraumatic stress reactions. There was a positive correlation between prolonged grief symptoms and posttraumatic stress reactions (r =.71) as well as perceived discrimination (r =.53). It was also found that the subdimensions of posttraumatic stress, namely “reexperiencing” (β =.19, p <.05), “negative cognitive alterations” (β =.39, p <.05), and “perceived collective discrimination” (β =.11, p <.05), were significant predictors of prolonged grief. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that professionals should focus on identifying bereaved people who experience prolonged grief after a traumatic loss. Targeting these symptoms may alleviate the exacerbation of persistent grief reactions several years after a traumatic loss.Our findings suggest that addressing prolonged grief disorder following a massacre requires a multifaceted approach that includes early intervention, tailored therapeutic strategies, and robust social support systems. By integrating these elements, mental health professionals can significantly improve outcomes for those affected by traumatic loss, facilitating a path toward recovery and resilience. © 2025 American Psychological Association
Effects of Art Therapy on Quality of Life and Social Functioning in Individuals With Schizophrenia
(Slack Incorporated, 2025) Cataldas, S.K.; Eren, N.; Üstün, N.; Ofluoğlu, F.; Ayhan, C.H.
PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of art therapy on quality of life and social functioning of individuals with schizophrenia receiving community mental health services. METHOD: A quasi-experimental study design was used to assess the effects of art therapy on quality of life and social functioning. The study included 14 participants with schizophrenia, seven assigned to the intervention group and seven to the control group. The intervention group participated in weekly art therapy sessions encompassing various artistic modalities over 16 weeks. Pre-and post-test measurements of quality of life and social functioning scales were administered to both groups. RESULTS: A significant increase was noted in total scores of quality of life and social functioning scales for the intervention group between pre-and post-test. No significant differences were observed within the control group. CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that art therapy promotes quality of life and social functioning of individuals with schizophrenia. Art therapy may be suggested as a psychiatric rehabilitation approach; however, more evidence-based studies are needed for this intervention to be integrated into routine clinical treatment. © 2025, Slack Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Recovery Notion of Individuals With Schizophrenia and Their Families in Eastern Turkey a Qualitative Study
(Slack Incorporated, 2025) Ayhan, C.H.; Aktas, M.C.; Aktas, S.; Gokturk, N.
Purpose: To determine the recovery notion among individuals with schizophrenia and their families in Eastern Turkey. METHOD: A descriptive phenomenological study was performed. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were revealed—Meaning of Recovery, which emphasizes a multifaceted definition of recovery based on the individual’s and family's experiences; Necessities of Recovery, emphasizing the requirements of recovery from the individual’s and family’s perspectives (e.g., treatment adherence, support of health care professionals); and Recovery Journey, which emphasizes the dynamic aspect of the recovery process from the individual’s perspective. CONCLUSION: Individuals with schizophrenia are able to define their own recovery and self-determined recovery goals, which will enable them to evaluate treatment outcomes. © SLACK INCORPORATED.