Psychosocial support for mothers and children with chronic stress caused by the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25460826
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Hygiene and public health
• Research Institution: Aichi Prefectural University (2015-2016); Fukuoka University (2013-2014)
• Principal Investigator: USHIJIMA Kayo 愛知県立大学, 看護学部, 准教授 (10336191)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 原発災害 / 母子の健康 / 子どもの発達 / well-being / 心理社会的支援

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this research is to clarify the impacts of the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident on mental and physical health of mothers and children, thus to construct support measures. We used social epidemiological survey data and interview data of mothers with young children in 9 municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture, whose surveys had been conducting annually since 2013. As a result, 12.7% who was depressed consistently, were associated with low income, deviation of perception on coping with radiation, economic burden feeling. Also, those who departed from depression were searching for ways to adapt to new normal caused by accidents. In order for mothers and children of Fukushima to acquire resilience, it is necessary to face seriously the future health anxieties of mothers and establish a continuous medical compensation system.

Free Research Field

社会疫学