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High Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Relation to Social Factors in Affected Population One Year after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

Author

Listed:
  • Takuya Tsujiuchi
  • Maya Yamaguchi
  • Kazutaka Masuda
  • Marisa Tsuchida
  • Tadashi Inomata
  • Hiroaki Kumano
  • Yasushi Kikuchi
  • Eugene F Augusterfer
  • Richard F Mollica

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated post-traumatic stress symptoms in relation to the population affected by the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, one year after the disaster. Additionally, we investigated social factors, such as forced displacement, which we hypothesize contributed to the high prevalence of post-traumatic stress. Finally, we report of written narratives that were collected from the impacted population. Design and Settings: Using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), questionnaires were sent to 2,011 households of those displaced from Fukushima prefecture living temporarily in Saitama prefecture. Of the 490 replies; 350 met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine several characteristics and variables of social factors as predictors of probable post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD. Results: The mean score of IES-R was 36.15±21.55, with 59.4% having scores of 30 or higher, thus indicating a probable PTSD. No significant differences in percentages of high-risk subjects were found among sex, age, evacuation area, housing damages, tsunami affected, family split-up, and acquaintance support. By the result of multiple logistic regression analysis, the significant predictors of probable PTSD were chronic physical diseases (OR = 1.97), chronic mental diseases (OR = 6.25), worries about livelihood (OR = 2.27), lost jobs (OR = 1.71), lost social ties (OR = 2.27), and concerns about compensation (OR = 3.74). Conclusion: Although there are limitations in assuming a diagnosis of PTSD based on self-report IES-R, our findings indicate that there was a high-risk of PTSD strongly related to the nuclear disaster and its consequent evacuation and displacement. Therefore, recovery efforts must focus not only on medical and psychological treatment alone, but also on social and economic issues related to the displacement, as well.

Suggested Citation

  • Takuya Tsujiuchi & Maya Yamaguchi & Kazutaka Masuda & Marisa Tsuchida & Tadashi Inomata & Hiroaki Kumano & Yasushi Kikuchi & Eugene F Augusterfer & Richard F Mollica, 2016. "High Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Relation to Social Factors in Affected Population One Year after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(3), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0151807
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151807
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    1. Daisuke Nishi & Yuichi Koido & Naoki Nakaya & Toshimasa Sone & Hiroko Noguchi & Kei Hamazaki & Tomohito Hamazaki & Yutaka Matsuoka, 2012. "Peritraumatic Distress, Watching Television, and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms among Rescue Workers after the Great East Japan Earthquake," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(4), pages 1-6, April.
    2. Jun Shigemura & Takeshi Tanigawa & Daisuke Nishi & Yutaka Matsuoka & Soichiro Nomura & Aihide Yoshino, 2014. "Associations between Disaster Exposures, Peritraumatic Distress, and Posttraumatic Stress Responses in Fukushima Nuclear Plant Workers following the 2011 Nuclear Accident: The Fukushima NEWS Project S," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(2), pages 1-8, February.
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    1. Yujiro Kuroda & Hajime Iwasa & Masatsugu Orui & Nobuaki Moriyama & Chihiro Nakayama & Seiji Yasumura, 2018. "Association between Health Literacy and Radiation Anxiety among Residents after a Nuclear Accident: Comparison between Evacuated and Non-Evacuated Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-12, July.

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