Social Vulnerability and Resilience of Disaster-driven Forced Migrants Aged 65 and Over: A Case of Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Survivors

Suzuki Him M., Esendemir Ş.

FILOSOFIJA, SOCIOLOGIJA, vol.36, no.2, pp.202-212, 2025 (SSCI)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 36 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.6001/fil-soc.2025.36.2.8
  • Journal Name: FILOSOFIJA, SOCIOLOGIJA
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI)
  • Page Numbers: pp.202-212
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study examines the social resilience of older adults who migrated to Istanbul aftermath

of the 6 February 2023 Earthquakes in Turkey. While many studies share the view

that older adults are among the most vulnerable groups of people both in disaster and

forced migration, a growing number of studies indicate the positive role of social capital

for their resilience in disaster situations. In this study, 17 in-depth interviews and

40 structured interviews with senior earthquake survivors were conducted in Istanbul.

The results of the thematic analysis of qualitative data and the descriptive statistical

analysis of quantitative data show a central role of family ties (bonding social capital)

for their resilience, yet a loss of social relations beyond close relatives (bridging social

capital) and hence their increased dependency.