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Subjective Wellbeing and Related Factors of Older Adults Nine and a Half Years after the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Coastal Area of Soma City

Author

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  • Yuri Kinoshita

    (Department of Living and Culture, Tohoku Seikatsu Bunka Junior College, 1-18-2, Nijino-oka, Izumi-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 981-8585, Japan
    Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

  • Chihiro Nakayama

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

  • Naomi Ito

    (Department of Radiation Health Management, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

  • Nobuaki Moriyama

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

  • Hajime Iwasa

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

  • Seiji Yasumura

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

Abstract

This study examined older adults’ subjective wellbeing and related factors in the coastal area of Soma City nine and a half years after the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE). Data were collected from 65- to 84-year-old residents and 1297 participants via a questionnaire from October to November 2020. The participants were divided into two groups: housing complexes and non-housing complexes. The dependent variable was subjective wellbeing assessed via Lawton’s Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS). Using multivariate regression analysis, the factors most strongly related to a low PGCMS score for both groups were poor health conditions, difficulties resting while asleep, poor financial wellbeing, inability to chew certain foods, and fear of solitary death. The GEJE experience was further distinguished in the housing complex group by the loss of an important non-family individual; for the other group, important factors were female gender, junior high school education level or lower, limited social networks, and deterioration of a family member’s health. Older adults’ subjective wellbeing in Soma City was low after nine and a half years following the GEJE. For disaster victims and their families in both groups, it is crucial to implement measures such as long-term, continuous physical and mental health support.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuri Kinoshita & Chihiro Nakayama & Naomi Ito & Nobuaki Moriyama & Hajime Iwasa & Seiji Yasumura, 2022. "Subjective Wellbeing and Related Factors of Older Adults Nine and a Half Years after the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Coastal Area of Soma City," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2639-:d:757612
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    1. Yasuto Kunii & Yuriko Suzuki & Tetsuya Shiga & Hirooki Yabe & Seiji Yasumura & Masaharu Maeda & Shin-ichi Niwa & Akira Otsuru & Hirobumi Mashiko & Masafumi Abe & Mental Health Group of the Fukushima H, 2016. "Severe Psychological Distress of Evacuees in Evacuation Zone Caused by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident: The Fukushima Health Management Survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(7), pages 1-15, July.
    2. Masatsugu Orui & Yuka Ueda & Yuriko Suzuki & Masaharu Maeda & Tetsuya Ohira & Hirooki Yabe & Seiji Yasumura, 2017. "The Relationship between Starting to Drink and Psychological Distress, Sleep Disturbance after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster: The Fukushima Health Management Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Nobuaki Moriyama & Hajime Iwasa & Masaharu Tsubokura & Yujiro Kuroda & Seiji Yasumura, 2019. "Living in the Restoration Public Housing after the Great East Japan Earthquake Correlates with Lower Subjective Well-Being of Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-14, July.
    4. Rehdanz, Katrin & Welsch, Heinz & Narita, Daiju & Okubo, Toshihiro, 2015. "Well-being effects of a major natural disaster: The case of Fukushima," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 500-517.
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