Determining mothers’ exposure to intimate partner violence, levels of hopelessness, intolerance of uncertainty, and their attitudes toward child violence in earthquake zones in Türkiye

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the mothers’ exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV), their levels of hopelessness, intolerance of uncertainty, and attitudes toward violence against children in 11 earthquake-affected provinces in Türkiye. An explanatory sequential mixed-method design was employed. First, quantitative data were collected using an “Introductory information form,” the “Intimate Partner Violence Against Women Scale,” the “Beck Hopelessness Scale,” the “Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale,” and the “Sensitivity to Violence Against Children Scale.” In the second phase, qualitative data were gathered through in-depth interviews and analyzed thematically to provide deeper insight into the quantitative findings. Quantitative results showed that no significant differences in mothers’ sensitivity to violence against children ( p > 0.05). Higher intimate partner violence scores observed among mothers reported helplessness, while hopelessness was higher among those describing the earthquake as loss/ending and lower among those receiving family support. Living in container houses was associated with greater intolerance of uncertainty, and family support was linked to lower levels of hopelessness. The qualitative analysis revealed six themes: Sex inequality, failure to grieve, unpreventable violence, violence against children after the earthquake, perceived limits and potential roles of nurses in responding to violence, and hopelessness and intolerance regarding the future. Domestic violence may remain a serious concern for mothers and children even one year after an earthquake. The combination of qualitative and quantitative findings highlights the need for long-term, trauma-informed post-disaster care. Nurses and other health professionals should routinely assess mothers and children for violence and hopelessness, provide appropriate psychosocial support and referral to mental health services. Post-disaster interventions should therefore extend beyond the immediate crisis period and include sustained psychosocial support to affected families.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. BMC Psychology, 2026 · DOI ↗