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Mental Health Recovery of Evacuees and Residents from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident after Seven Years—Contribution of Social Network and a Desirable Lifestyle

Author

Listed:
  • Masatsugu Orui

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

  • Satomi Nakajima

    (Faculty of Human Studies, Musashino University, Tokyo 135-8181, Japan
    Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

  • Yui Takebayashi

    (Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
    Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

  • Akiko Ito

    (Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
    Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

  • Maho Momoi

    (Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
    Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

  • Masaharu Maeda

    (Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
    Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

  • Seiji Yasumura

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
    Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

  • Hitoshi Ohto

    (Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

Abstract

The 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident resulted in the exposure to radiation and evacuation, which has created psychological distress among the Fukushima residents. With the provision of multi-faceted support and the progress of the reconstruction, their mental health has appeared to show signs of recovery. However, there have been few studies investigating their recovery. To clarify the related factors associated with mental health recovery, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted. Subjects whose answers were associated with Resilience, Recovery, and Remitting patterns of mental health status were categorized in the Recovery group, while those associated with Delayed/Chronic dysfunction were placed in the Non-recovered group. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, disaster-related unemployment (odds ratio (OR): 0.80, 95% CI (confidence interval): 0.65–0.99) and economic hardship (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.65–0.98) were associated with the hindrance of recovery. In contrast, overall good health (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.20–1.80), regular physical activity (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01–1.50), social interaction with friends (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.00–1.55), and established social roles (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.14–1.82) were associated with the promotion of recovery. In conclusion, our study showed a positive association between mental health recovery and a desirable lifestyle and social network, particularly with social roles. Thus, the provision of active social roles can promote recovery related to a disaster as with multi-faceted support.

Suggested Citation

  • Masatsugu Orui & Satomi Nakajima & Yui Takebayashi & Akiko Ito & Maho Momoi & Masaharu Maeda & Seiji Yasumura & Hitoshi Ohto, 2018. "Mental Health Recovery of Evacuees and Residents from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident after Seven Years—Contribution of Social Network and a Desirable Lifestyle," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:11:p:2381-:d:178687
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Masatsugu Orui & Chihiro Nakayama & Nobuaki Moriyama & Masaharu Tsubokura & Kiyotaka Watanabe & Takeo Nakayama & Minoru Sugita & Seiji Yasumura, 2021. "Those Who Have Continuing Radiation Anxiety Show High Psychological Distress in Cases of High Post-Traumatic Stress: The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Hitomi Matsunaga & Makiko Orita & Mengjie Liu & Yuya Kashiwazaki & Yasuyuki Taira & Noboru Takamura, 2022. "Evaluation of Residents’ Timing of Return to or New Settlement in Kawauchi Village, at 10 Years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-11, January.
    3. Yujiro Kuroda & Masatsugu Orui & Arinobu Hori, 2021. "Trends in Suicide Mortality in 10 Years around the Great East Japan Earthquake: Analysis of Evacuation and Non-Evacuation Areas in Fukushima Prefecture," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-10, June.
    4. Masatsugu Orui & Chihiro Nakayama & Nobuaki Moriyama & Masaharu Tsubokura & Kiyotaka Watanabe & Takeo Nakayama & Minoru Sugita & Seiji Yasumura, 2020. "Current Psychological Distress, Post-traumatic Stress, and Radiation Health Anxiety Remain High for Those Who Have Rebuilt Permanent Homes Following the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-14, December.

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