Psychosocial effect and generativity in offspring of atomic bomb survivors

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K17273
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Educational psychology
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Kamite Yuka (小嶋由香) 広島大学, 教育学研究科, 准教授 (20445927)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 原爆 / 被爆二世 / 被爆三世 / トラウマ / 世代間伝達 / 世代継承性 / 平和 / 放射能

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study conducted qualitative and questionnaire survey, in order to examine the psychosocial impact of atomic bomb experience on the next generation. From the result of this study, the clear negative effect on the mental health for second and third generation who were the descendant of the atomic bomb survivors could not be recognized. In addition, it was thought that many atomic bomb survivors avoided talking to their children about their experiences. It has been shown that their perceptions as second-generation atomic bomb survivors change throughout their lifecycle. The possibility in which the health anxiety on the genetic effect of the radiation of the exposure second generation was caused by disease and birth was considered. On the other hand, there is a possibility that the descendants of atomic bomb survivors have high interest in peace and international understanding.

Free Research Field

臨床心理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

原爆被爆者の子孫に対する関心は、これまで主に放射能の影響に対する遺伝的側面にのみ関心が向けられており、心理面への影響を検討した研究は国内外を通してほとんど実施されていなかった。本研究はこれまで明らかにされてこなかった、原爆被爆体験の次世代への心理社会的影響を明らかにしたものであり、人類史上に残る歴史的トラウマが子や孫にどのような影響をもたらすのかを示す貴重な知見を得ることができたと考えられる。特に、放射能の遺伝的影響への健康不安の実態を明らかにできたことは、放射能被爆や感染症など、目に見えない健康被害を経験した後の長期的影響を予測するための知見としても重要であると考えられる。