Current Psychological Distress, Post-traumatic Stress, and Radiation Health Anxiety Remain High for Those Who Have Rebuilt Permanent Homes Following the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

Masatsugu Orui, Chihiro Nakayama, Nobuaki Moriyama, Masaharu Tsubokura, Kiyotaka Watanabe, Takeo Nakayama, Minoru Sugita and Seiji Yasumura
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Masatsugu Orui: Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Chihiro Nakayama: Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Nobuaki Moriyama: Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Masaharu Tsubokura: Department of Radiation Health Management, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Kiyotaka Watanabe: Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 173-8606, Japan
Takeo Nakayama: Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
Minoru Sugita: Toho University, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan
Seiji Yasumura: Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 24, 1-14

Abstract: Objective: The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011 produced psychological reactions among evacuees. Despite the harsh situation, subsequently, there has been gradual progress in reconstruction, with more than half of the evacuees returning after the evacuation. Our hypothesis is that evacuee mental health will now be better due to new stable living conditions. This study aims to clarify the statuses of psychological distress, post-traumatic stress, and radiation health anxiety among evacuees who have rebuilt permanent homes after evacuation. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 1600 residents was conducted in 2020. As primary outcomes, the survey measured psychological distress (Kessler 6), post-traumatic stress (post-traumatic stress four-item checklist), and radiation health anxiety. The data are compared for residents who have rebuilt permanent home and those who did not evacuate. Results: In the co-variant analysis, the statuses of psychological distress ( p < 0.001), post-traumatic stress ( p < 0.001), and radiation health anxiety ( p < 0.001) are found to still be high, with significant differences when compared to those who did not evacuate. These results are still at an equivalent level for the continuing evacuation. Conclusion: Our findings may indicate a necessity for continuing disaster-related mental health activities even though the living conditions have improved.

Keywords: Fukushima nuclear accident; recovery phase; psychological distress; post-traumatic stress; community mental health services (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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