Intra-Family Relationship Transformation and Service Recommendations After 2023 Türkiye Earthquake: An Intersectional Analysis

This qualitative research explores the transformation of family relationships and service recommendations based on intersectionality in the post-earthquake context, with 27 affected family members. The three themes identified in the thematic analysis: “Reflections of the Earthquake Process on Intra-Family Relationships, Intersectional Categories Differentiating Experiences, and Services Provided to Families and Their Needs.” After the disaster, families faced common challenges, including socio-economic, emotional, and sexual problems, child-rearing difficulties, and conflicts with extended family. The intersecting factors that differentiate families’ experiences were found to be marital status, health status, age and disability, gender, social capital, and class. Post-earthquake single parents faced challenges like spousal loss, socio-economic difficulties, and childcare, with economic issues more common among those who divorced and caregiving challenges for those who lost a spouse. Individuals with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and older adults faced challenges in accessing healthcare services. In these families, significant shifts occurred when children took on caregiving responsibilities. While at the intersection of gender inequality and disaster, women faced limited access to hygiene materials, menstrual products, income, and increased caregiving burdens, the weakening of men’s traditional masculinity due to the earthquake contributed to heightened family conflicts. Families with higher socio-economic status and capital had easier access to services. Participants main needs and suggestions are rights-based services focused on housing, economic support.