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Fukasawa M, Umeda Taniguchi M, Akiyama T, Horikoshi N, Yasumura S, Yabe H, Suzuki Y, Bromet EJ, Kawakami N. Social networks and posttraumatic stress symptoms five to ten years after the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster. Soc Sci Med 2024; 357:117189. [PMID: 39127002 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident, multiple social network disruptions have been reported among the community in Fukushima, while posttraumatic stress symptoms among the residents have persisted. In this study, we aimed to explore the influence of time and social networks on the recovery of posttraumatic stress symptoms based on longitudinal data from community residents in Fukushima, following up five to ten years after the nuclear power plant accident. We conducted five questionnaire surveys quasi-annually, the targets of which were randomly sampled 4900 non-evacuee community residents. In this study, the data of 1809 respondents who participated in at least one survey were used (36.9% of the initial target). Setting posttraumatic stress symptoms as the outcome, we examined the interaction between time and social network size using a mixed model, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and disaster-related events. Their interaction was statistically significant, and the posttraumatic stress symptoms of those with small social networks persisted, while those with larger social networks recovered. Maintaining and promoting social networks may contribute to mental health recovery after a nuclear disaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiko Fukasawa
- Health Promotion Center, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Maki Umeda Taniguchi
- Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.
| | - Tsuyoshi Akiyama
- Department of Quality Improvement, NTT Medical Center Tokyo, 5-9-22 Higashi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 141-8625, Japan.
| | - Naoko Horikoshi
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Seiji Yasumura
- Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Hirooki Yabe
- Department of Mind and Brain Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Japan.
| | - Yuriko Suzuki
- Department of Public Mental Health Research, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8551, Japan.
| | - Evelyn J Bromet
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Health, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
| | - Norito Kawakami
- Department of Digital Mental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
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Kunii Y, Usukura H, Otsuka K, Maeda M, Yabe H, Takahashi S, Tachikawa H, Tomita H. Lessons learned from psychosocial support and mental health surveys during the 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake: Establishing evidence-based disaster psychiatry. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 76:212-221. [PMID: 35137504 PMCID: PMC9314661 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Post-disaster mental health and psychosocial support have drawn attention in Japan after the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, with mental health care centers for the affected communities being organized. After the catastrophe, a reconstruction budget was allocated to organize mental health care centers to provide psychosocial support for communities affected by the 2007 Chūetsu offshore earthquake, the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, and the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. There were several major improvements in post-disaster mental health measures after the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Disaster Psychiatric Assistance Team system was organized after the earthquake to orchestrate disaster response related to the psychiatric health system and mental health of the affected communities. Special mental health care efforts were drawn to the communities affected by the nuclear power plant accident through Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high yield Explosives, being succeeded by measures against the coronavirus pandemic. As another new movement after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the number of surveys involving communities affected by disasters has soared. More than 10 times the number of scientific publications were made in English during the decade following the Great East Japan Earthquake, compared with the previous decades. In this review, we examined the results and issues acquired in the 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, proposing evidence-based disaster psychiatry as the direction of future mental health measures related to emergency preparedness and response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuto Kunii
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hitomi Usukura
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kotaro Otsuka
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan.,Department of Disaster and Community Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
| | - Masaharu Maeda
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.,Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hirooki Yabe
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.,Department of Neuropsychiatry, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Sho Takahashi
- Department of Disaster and Community Psychiatry, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tachikawa
- Department of Disaster and Community Psychiatry, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tomita
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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The Role of Emergency Medical Services in Earthquake Response: Integrating the ABC Approach of Israel's Magen David Adom. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2021; 15:770-776. [PMID: 32624082 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2020.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Throughout history, earthquakes have caused devastation and loss of life. Emergency medical services (EMS) plays a vital role in the response to any mass-casualty incident or disaster. Magen David Adom, Israel's premier EMS organization, has a unique strategy known as the ABC approach to earthquake response. It involves thousands of salaried workers and trained volunteers who are prepared to respond to an earthquake based on the extent of the disaster. Depending on the amount of destruction, they will be working locally or available to help in other areas. A Level A earthquake causes local destruction and minimal casualties. Any EMS responders in that area as well as in surrounding areas will be available to help. Furthermore, all responders will need to work automatically and autonomously. A Level B earthquake causes extensive destruction, and all responders in the region will be busy caring for the victims. Anyone available outside of the region will come and help. A Level C earthquake is completely devastating, and all workers nationwide will be involved in responding to the catastrophe. The role of EMS responders using the ABC approach to earthquake response, as described here, may be integrated in part or whole in other EMS systems.
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Goodwin R, Sugiyama K, Sun S, Aida J, Ben-Ezra M. Psychological distress after the Great East Japan Earthquake: two multilevel 6-year prospective analyses. Br J Psychiatry 2020; 216:144-150. [PMID: 31787114 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2019.251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2011 led to the relocation of 300 000 survivors. Studies following disasters focus primarily on data collected in the immediate aftermath and neglect the influence of wider community factors. AIMS A three-level prospective study examining associations between survivors' psychological distress and individual- and social-level factors in the 6 years following a complex disaster. METHOD We drew on two multi-wave data collections in the 6 years after the earthquake, using residents from different forms of housing. Sample 1 included six waves of private-housing residents from 2011 to 2016 (n = 1084 per wave), sample 2 five waves of residents living in prefabricated housing from 2012 to 2016 (n = 1515 per wave). We analysed prospective associations between distress and time (level 1), pre-existing disorders and disaster experiences and behaviours (level 2) and city-wide measures of support and physical activity (level 3). RESULTS Multilevel models with random coefficients demonstrated greater distress in earlier waves (samples 1 and 2 respectively, adjusted β = -15 and β = -0.16, P < 0.001), among female respondents (β = 0.58, P = 0.01 and β = 1.74, P = 0.001), in those with a previous psychiatric history (β = 2.76, β = 2.06, P < 0.001) with diminished levels of activity post-earthquake (β = 1.40, β = 1.51, P < 0.001) and those lacking in social support (β = 1.95, β = 1.51, P < 0.001). Support from spouses and friends was most protective of psychological health. City-level support was negatively associated with distress, but only among those in prefabricated housing. CONCLUSIONS Psychological distress diminished with time, but varied across gender, psychiatric history, housing, levels of activity and availability of social support. Practitioners should consider individual- and city-level factors when devising effective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Goodwin
- Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, UK
| | - Kemmyo Sugiyama
- Assistant Professor, Department of International and Community Oral Health, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Japan
| | - Shaojing Sun
- Professor of Communication, Department of Communication, Fudan University, China
| | - Jun Aida
- Associate Professor, Department of International and Community Oral Health, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Japan
| | - Menachem Ben-Ezra
- Professor of Psychology, School of Social Work, Ariel University, Israel
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Nakamura K, Watanabe Y, Kitamura K, Kabasawa K, Someya T. Psychological distress as a risk factor for dementia after the 2004 Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake in Japan. J Affect Disord 2019; 259:121-127. [PMID: 31445337 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A large earthquake can cause extreme stress and may adversely affect cognitive function in humans. We aimed to examine a possible association between psychological distress and incident dementia after the 2004 Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake in Japan. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study followed participants for 10-12 years. Subjects were 6,012 residents in 2005, 5,424 in 2006, and 5,687 in 2007 (age ≥40 years) living in Ojiya city who participated in the annual health check examinations after the 2004 Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and individuals with a K10 score ≥10 were considered to have psychological distress. Incident dementia cases were identified from a long-term care insurance database of the local government during the follow-up period. We evaluated hazard ratios (HRs) of psychological distress for incident dementia in each year, unadjusted and adjusted for covariates, including sex, age, occupation, BMI, and property damage of residential area. RESULTS The average age of the subjects was 64.6 years in 2005, 64.6 in 2006, and 65.2 in 2007. Adjusted HRs were significantly higher (HR = 1.20-1.66) in the psychological distress group than in the reference group in each year. In particular, adjusted HR was high (HR = 2.89) in those with psychological distress in all three years (2005-2007). CONCLUSION Psychological distress, especially persistent distress, is a risk factor for incident dementia in victims of large disasters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutoshi Nakamura
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan.
| | - Yumi Watanabe
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kaori Kitamura
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Keiko Kabasawa
- Department of Health Promotion Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Someya
- Department of Psychiatry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
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Ozaki A, Horiuchi S, Kobayashi Y, Inoue M, Aida J, Leppold C, Yamaoka K. Beneficial Roles of Social Support for Mental Health Vary in the Japanese Population depending on Disaster Experience: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2018; 246:213-223. [PMID: 30542048 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.246.213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of social capital on mental health among the Japanese population with or without natural disaster experience. A nationwide cross-sectional study was performed in the population aged 15 to 79 years old. We collected data on psychological status, social capital, disaster experience in ten years prior to the survey, and socio-demographic information. We assessed cognitive social capital (perceptions of support, reciprocity and trust), social support (support from individuals in the community), and social participation (participation in social activities) as components of social capital. The study outcome was mild mood or anxiety disorder (hereafter mood/anxiety disorder), defined as the score of 5 or higher in the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Using logistic regression models, we tested whether each component of social capital was associated with mood/anxiety disorder with or without disaster experience. Out of 1,200 participants, 1,183 had available K6 score data and were considered. Among three components of social capital, only social support significantly interacted with disaster experience (p = 0.019). In the population without disaster experience, those with high social support were less likely to have mood/anxiety disorder (OR 0.45, 95% Cl 0.28-0.73); however, no such association was observed among those with disaster experience (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.64-1.90). Thus, the protective effects of social support against mood/anxiety disorder vary in the Japanese population depending on disaster experience. The present study provides important insight into the role of social capital on mental health after natural disaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Ozaki
- Graduate School of Public Health, Teikyo University.,Department of Surgery, Jyoban Hospital of Tokiwa Foundation
| | | | - Yasuma Kobayashi
- Graduate School of Public Health, Teikyo University.,Jichi Medical University Saitama Medical Center
| | - Mariko Inoue
- Graduate School of Public Health, Teikyo University
| | - Jun Aida
- Center for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Clinical Research, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry.,Department of International and Community Oral Health, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry
| | - Claire Leppold
- School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh
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Guo J, Liu C, Kong D, Solomon P, Fu M. The relationship between PTSD and suicidality among Wenchuan earthquake survivors: The role of PTG and social support. J Affect Disord 2018; 235:90-95. [PMID: 29655080 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2017] [Revised: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have found that suicide rates are likely to increase after the occurrence of earthquakes. Most existing studies that examined the relationship between PTSD and suicidality focus on risk factors. It remains unclear whether protective factors, such as post-traumatic growth (PTG) and social support, play a role in this relationship. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PTG and social support in the association between PTSD and suicidality, using data from a cross-sectional study conducted in China. METHODS 1,369 participants were recruited from two study sites that were severely affected by the Wenchuan earthquake. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between PTSD, PTG, social support, and suicidality. RESULTS The results indicate that the prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts among adult survivors were 9.06%, 2.97% and 3.31%, respectively, even after 8 years following the Wenchuan earthquake. Furthermore, the findings show that PTSD was significantly associated with suicidality (OR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.53, 2.52). Additionally, individuals reporting lower levels of social support and the acquisition of PTSD (OR = 5.99; 95% CI = 1.66, 21.56) were significantly related to suicidality. Moreover, compared to individuals who reported no presence of PTSD and high PTG, those who lived with PTSD and lower levels of PTG (OR = 2.33; 95%CI = 1.00, 5.42) were more likely to report suicidality. LIMITATIONS The cross-sectional design of this study limits our ability to determine causal relationships. Effects of other related factors, such as cultural and life events, were not examined in this study. CONCLUSIONS Suicidality is a long-term health issue among survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake. PTG and social support play important roles on the association between PTSD and suicidality and are important contributing factors to understanding this relationship. These results contribute new knowledge of suicidal risk for a number of years after an earthquake and have implications for further mental health promotion following earthquakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Guo
- School of Sociology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
| | - Chengcheng Liu
- School of Sociology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Dexia Kong
- School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Phyllis Solomon
- School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mingqi Fu
- School of Sociology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, PR China
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Social Capital and Mental Health in Post-Disaster/Conflict Contexts: A Systematic Review. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2018; 12:791-802. [PMID: 29559021 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2017.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Social capital (SC) is highlighted as an important factor for post-crisis mental health outcomes. However, the heterogeneous nature of the construct makes it difficult to get a clear picture of the evidence concerning the association between SC indices and mental health. This review examines how SC is conceptualized and measured, and the relationships with other variables in quantitative empirical studies investigating the associations between SC and mental health in post-disaster and post-conflict contexts. It includes primary data studies focusing on this association in civilian populations. Studies were identified by searching electronic databases, bibliographic mining, cited reference searching, and personal contact with experts. In total, 15 studies were included: 12 in post-natural disaster contexts and 3 in conflict-affected settings. Findings suggested that individual cognitive SC had an inverse association with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, and that ecological cognitive SC was positively associated with mental well-being. Individual structural SC (in the form of community networks) may be psychologically protective. However, most of the evidence was cross-sectional, limiting conclusions about causal relationships. More clarity and consistency is needed in the conceptualization and measurement of SC in order to inform post-crisis mental health interventions. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:791-802).
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9
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Social Factors Associated With Psychological Distress and Health Problems Among Elderly Members of a Disaster-Affected Population: Subgroup Analysis of a 1-Year Post-disaster Survey in Ishinomaki Area, Japan. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2016; 11:64-71. [PMID: 27842614 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2016.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the influence of social factors, especially social support, on psychological distress and the prevalence of health problems (HPs) among victims living in their homes 14 to 21 months after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. METHODS A subgroup analysis was performed for elderly participants of a cross-sectional household survey in Ishinomaki area, Japan. The prevalence of psychological HPs was assessed by using a psychological distress questionnaire (K6) and by recording the number of subjective HPs. Perceived social support was assessed in 3 dimensions: informational, emotional, and instrumental support. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the association between social factors and psychological health. RESULTS An elderly subgroup with 879 participants was used for analyses. Psychological distress (K6 score≥9) was observed in 6.8% of the participants aged 65 to 74 years and in 8.0% of those aged ≥75 years. Receiving a long-term care service was associated with having HPs, and discontinuation of attendance at a hospital as an outpatient was associated with psychological distress. Receiving emotional support was associated with lower psychological distress and not having HPs. CONCLUSIONS Emotional support was found to be an important factor for promoting health among elderly disaster victims. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:64-71).
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Longitudinal association between time-varying social isolation and psychological distress after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Soc Sci Med 2016; 152:96-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Sugimoto T, Umeda M, Shinozaki T, Naruse T, Miyamoto Y. Sources of perceived social support associated with reduced psychological distress at 1 year after the Great East Japan Earthquake: Nationwide cross-sectional survey in 2012. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2015; 69:580-6. [PMID: 25163533 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Revised: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
AIM Lack of social support has been associated with a higher level of psychological distress after disasters, but its relative associations with sources of support such as neighbors, friends, family, and others, are underreported. The present study assessed the associations of social support with psychological distress according to support source among the general population 1 year after the Great East Japan Earthquake. METHODS An online survey was completed by a Japanese national sample of 10 469 participants in 2012, from which 8777 were analyzed. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), and the associations between social support from family, friends, or neighbors and psychological distress score were estimated using a proportional odds model. This model was separately fitted for house-damage certification from the disaster (573 participants were certified, 8204 were uncertified). RESULTS Prevalence of K6 ≥ 13 points was 8.4% for house-damage certified and 9.0% for uncertified participants. K6 ≥ 5 points was observed among 49.9% of the house-damaged certified group and in 47.7% of the uncertified group. Lack of support from family, friends, and neighbors was similarly associated with higher K6 score among house-damage certified and uncertified participants. Similar patterns were observed from participants who received house-damage certificates and those who did not experience damage to their homes. CONCLUSION Enhancing perceived sources of social support among the general population, not limited to people with house damage, can be an effective way to reduce psychological distress following a disaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Sugimoto
- Department of Health Technology Assessment and Public Policy, Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maki Umeda
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tomohiro Shinozaki
- Departments of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Naruse
- Community Health Nursing, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Miyamoto
- Psychiatric Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Goodwin R, Takahashi M, Sun S, Ben-Ezra M. Psychological distress among tsunami refugees from the Great East Japan earthquake. BJPsych Open 2015; 1:92-97. [PMID: 27703729 PMCID: PMC4995552 DOI: 10.1192/bjpo.bp.115.000422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 2011 Great Japan tsunami and nuclear leaks displaced 300 000 people, but there are no large studies of psychological distress suffered by these refugees. AIMS To provide a first assessment of major factors associated with distress and dysfunctional behaviour following the disasters. METHOD All refugee families living in Miyagi were sent a questionnaire 10-12 months after the disasters. 21 981 participants (73%) returned questionnaires. Questions assessed psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, K6), dysfunctional behaviours, demographics, event exposure, change in physical activity, household visitors and emotional support. RESULTS Nine percent scored 13+ on the K6 indicating risk of severe mental illness. Psychological distress was greater among Fukushima refugees. Demographic variables, family loss, illness history and change in physical activity were associated with psychological distress and dysfunctional behaviours. Associations between psychological distress and dysfunction and visitors/supporters depended on relation to supporter. CONCLUSIONS Practitioners need to recognise existing disease burden, community histories and family roles when intervening following disasters. DECLARATION OF INTEREST None. COPYRIGHT AND USAGE © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2015. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Non-Commercial, No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) licence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Goodwin
- , PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | - Shaojing Sun
- , PhD, School of Journalism, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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13
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Rashidinejad M, Dehghan M, Tirgari B, Rafiei H, Iranmanesh S. General Health Among Parents Who Lost Their Children in the Bam Earthquake. Glob J Health Sci 2015; 7:251-9. [PMID: 26156934 PMCID: PMC4803913 DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v7n5p251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Bam earthquake and its profound tragedy of thousands killed has caused emotional and psychological trauma for tens of thousands of people who have survived. This study aimed to investigate general health of parents who lose their children in Bam earthquake 10 years after the earthquake. METHOD General health of 166 parents who lost their children in Bam earthquake was assessed using a translated version of General Health Questionnarie-28 items. RESULTS The mean score of GHQ was 25.63±15.28. Among all domains, the higher mean score belonged to the category of "anxiety/insomnia" and the lower one belonged to the category of "severe depression". The results revealed significant correlation between total GHQ mean score and gender as well as educational level (0.003). CONCLUSION Providing reflective narrative environments in which survivors can express their own experiences and feelings about earthquake, their loss and how they cope with it seems to be as an effective approach to identify their psychosocial situation and its influential factors. In such narrative environments special attention should be given to older participants, females and those who are single.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Rashidinejad
- Medical Surgical Department, Nursing and Midwifery School, Kerman Medical Science University, Kerman.
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14
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Nakamura K, Kitamura K, Kim Y, Someya T. Property damage and long-term psychological distress after the 2004 Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake in Ojiya, Japan: a community-based study. J Public Health (Oxf) 2014; 37:398-405. [PMID: 25104841 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdu052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to assess psychological distress (PD) in earthquake-stricken communities with regard to the extent of property damage for 3 years following the 2004 Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake in Japan. METHODS Subjects were participants of health check examinations in a community near the epicentre, and included 7097 residents (≥18 years) in 2005, 6586 in 2006 and 6698 in 2007. Interviews assessed PD symptoms and lifestyles. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was used, with scores ≥20 considered as PD. The 137 subdistricts were divided into quartiles according to the proportion of half-completely destroyed houses at cut-offs of 18.9, 30.5 and 66.7%. RESULTS The PD prevalence was 17.0% in 2005, 13.2% in 2006 and 11.8% in 2007. In 2005, the more and most heavily damaged groups had significantly higher PD prevalence (OR = 1.5 and 1.4, respectively) than that of the least damaged group with a dose-dependent relationship (P = 0.0005). This association was weaker in 2006 (P = 0.0413) and in 2007 (P = 0.1816). CONCLUSION Psychological distress prevalence was high in highly damaged areas, and the prevalence difference between areas with high versus low damage decreases with time. Extensive mental health care in communities with substantial damage should be expected to last 2 years after an earthquake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutoshi Nakamura
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata City 951-8510, Japan
| | - Kaori Kitamura
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata City 951-8510, Japan
| | - Yoshiharu Kim
- Department of Adult Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Someya
- Department of Psychiatry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan Niigata Institute for Traumatic Stress, Mental Health and Welfare Association in Niigata Prefecture, Niigata, Japan
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