Factors Associated with Maintaining the Mental Health of Employees after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: Findings from Companies Located in the Evacuation Area.

Masatsugu Orui,Aya Goto,Yuriko Suzuki,Seiji Yasumura

doi:10.3390/ijerph15010053

Abstract

After the nuclear disaster in Fukushima on 11 March 2011, some businesses were permitted to continue operating even though they were located in the evacuation area designated by the Japanese government. The aim of this study was to examine differences in the mental health status, workplace, living environment, and lifestyle of employees in the evacuation and non-evacuation areas. We also investigated factors related to their mental health status. Data for this cross-sectional study were collected from the questionnaire responses of 647 employees at three medium-sized manufacturing companies in the evacuation and non-evacuation areas. Through a cross-tabulation analysis, employees who worked at companies in the evacuation areas showed an increase in the duration of overtime work, work burden, and commute time, and had experienced separation from family members due to the radiation disaster and perceived radiation risks. The results of a multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, even in a harsh workplace and living environment, being younger, participating regularly in physical activity, having a social network (Lubben Social Network Scale-6 ≤ 12), laughing frequently, and feeling satisfied with one’s workplace and domestic life were significantly associated with maintaining a healthy mental health status after the disaster. These findings are applicable for workers’ health management measures after disasters.

Highlights

The Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on 11 March 2011, generated a massive tsunami, and caused enormous damage to the Pacific Coast of Japan
To evaluate perception of radiation risks, Since the perception of radiation risks is a specific afterthe a nuclear disaster, we examined the participants were asked questions such as, “What do you think the likelihood is of damage to it as a stressor affecting employees’ mental health status
Among employees in the evacuation area, age (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92–0.99), gender (OR: 3.55, 95% CI: 1.20–10.5), regular physical activity (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.07–1.62), having a social network (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01–1.49), laughing frequently (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.02–1.62), and satisfaction with one’s work status (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.12–1.69) and domestic life (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01–1.57) were significantly associated with maintaining mental health status after the disaster

Summary

Introduction

The Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on 11 March 2011, generated a massive tsunami, and caused enormous damage to the Pacific Coast of Japan. The tsunami hit the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant operated by the Tokyo Electric Power Company. This accident caused radiation disasters in the Fukushima Prefecture and necessitated the long-term evacuation of residents from many surrounding municipalities. The evacuation areas were classified into three categories: (1) difficult-to-return areas, with a radiation dose rate ≥50 millisieverts (mSv) per year; (2) residence restriction areas, with a radiation dose rate greater than or equal to 20 and less than 50 mSv per year; and (3) areas where evacuation orders are ready to be lifted, with a radiation dose rate of less than 20 mSv per year.

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