'I cannot see ahead': psychological distress, doomscrolling and dark future among adult survivors following M_w 7.7. and 7.6 earthquakes in Türkiye

Background: Two major earthquakes (M 7.7 and 7.6) struck Türkiye on February 6, 2023, affecting eleven provinces and causing ~50,000 deaths. This study analyzes the psychological status of adult survivors three months post-event across multiple variables. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study using face-to-face and online questionnaires among 402 adult earthquake survivors. Measures included Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Dark Future Scale (DFS), and Doomscrolling Scale; relationships examined via predictive correlational model. Results: Participants reported very high future anxiety and moderate doomscrolling; psychological distress was relatively low overall. Increases in psychological distress were associated with increases in doomscrolling; increases in future anxiety were similarly associated with increases in doomscrolling. Mediation analysis showed future anxiety significantly mediates the relationship between psychological distress and doomscrolling (p < .001). Conclusion: In uncontrollable negative life events, individuals seek information and are exposed to negative news flows. Elevated depression, anxiety, and stress increase doomscrolling, with future anxiety as an additional trigger. The impacts on earthquake survivors are discussed in the context of existing literature.