Higher psychological distress experienced by evacuees relocating outside Fukushima after the nuclear accident: The Fukushima Health Management Survey

Factors Hindering Social Participation among Older Residents from Evacuation Zones after the Nuclear Power Plant Accident in Fukushima: The Fukushima Health Management Survey

“…For older people, familiar relationships, such as family and neighborhood friends, become the center of social networks. In our previous study [ 6 ], it was found that evacuation after the nuclear accident to a site outside of the Fukushima prefecture resulted in more psychological distress compared to sites inside of the Fukushima prefecture. However, this difference was reduced by providing support for social isolation, loss of work, and problem-drinking behavior [ 6 ].…”

“…In our previous study [ 6 ], it was found that evacuation after the nuclear accident to a site outside of the Fukushima prefecture resulted in more psychological distress compared to sites inside of the Fukushima prefecture. However, this difference was reduced by providing support for social isolation, loss of work, and problem-drinking behavior [ 6 ]. A study on the neighborhood relationships and community participation of the elderly living in housing complexes in suburban communities [ 19 ] found that the number of neighborhood friends and the number of trustworthy friends were the important determinants of social participation.…”

“…Residents who were forced to evacuate their homes have been separated from the communities to which they were accustomed and are now living in new and unfamiliar areas. Since people who evacuated to areas outside the Fukushima prefecture were shown to have higher levels of psychological distress, in comparison to those from other communities within the same prefecture [ 6 ], it is predictable that they will take more time to adapt to their new environment. Since it was shown that social networks become smaller with age after adolescence [ 7 , 8 , 9 ], it can be predicted that evacuees aged ≥ 65 years would be likely to have difficulty in starting new social participation in a strange area after evacuation, even if they were socially active before the disaster.…”

Lessons learned from psychosocial support and mental health surveys during the 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake: Establishing evidence‐based disaster psychiatry

“…By examining this cohort, valuable knowledge regarding mental health during disasters has been accumulated. 67,68 The first large-scale and systematic study to elucidate the mental health status of residents in the evacuation zone around the FDNPP revealed that the earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent nuclear accident likely caused severe psychological distress among these residents in the Fukushima Prefecture; the close relationship between psychological distress and radiation levels suggested that the nuclear accident seriously influenced the residents' mental health, which (2)-4 Fig. 3 Three Tohoku prefectures in which cohort studies regarding GEJE were conducted.…”

“…Therefore, in order to provide appropriate mental care, mainly for evacuees who were at a higher risk of developing mental health problems, the Fukushima Medical University implemented a “Mental Health and Lifestyle survey,” which targeted around 210 000 residents of the evacuation zone. By examining this cohort, valuable knowledge regarding mental health during disasters has been accumulated 67,68 . The first large‐scale and systematic study to elucidate the mental health status of residents in the evacuation zone around the FDNPP revealed that the earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent nuclear accident likely caused severe psychological distress among these residents in the Fukushima Prefecture; the close relationship between psychological distress and radiation levels suggested that the nuclear accident seriously influenced the residents' mental health, which might be exacerbated by increased risk perception 69 .…”