Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T19:59:58.254Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Perceived Workplace Interpersonal Support Among Workers of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants Following the 2011 Accident: The Fukushima Nuclear Energy Workers’ Support (NEWS) Project Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 October 2017

Sho Takahashi ,
Jun Shigemura ,
Yoshitomo Takahashi ,
Soichiro Nomura ,
Aihide Yoshino  and
Takeshi Tanigawa
Sho Takahashi*
Affiliation:
Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan Ibaraki Prefectural Medical Center of Psychiatry, Kasama, Japan
Jun Shigemura
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan
Yoshitomo Takahashi
Affiliation:
Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
Soichiro Nomura
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan Rokubancho Mental Clinic, Japan Depression Center, Tokyo, Japan
Aihide Yoshino
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan
Takeshi Tanigawa
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Sho Takahashi, MD, PhD, Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan (e-mail: shotaka72@gmail.com).
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective

The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident was the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. The Daiichi workers faced multiple stressors (workplace trauma, victim experiences, and public criticism deriving from their company’s post-disaster management). Literatures suggest the importance of workplace interpersonal support (WIS) in enhancing psychological health among disaster workers. We sought to elucidate the role of their demographics, disaster-related experiences, and post-traumatic stress symptoms on perceived WIS.

Methods

We analyzed self-report questionnaires of 885 workers 2-3 months post-disaster. We used sociodemographic and disaster exposure-related variables and post-traumatic stress symptoms (measured by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised) as independent variables. We asked whether WIS from colleagues, supervisors, or subordinates was perceived as helpful, and used yes or no responses as a dependent variable. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess correlates of WIS.

Results

Of the participants, one-third (34.7%) reported WIS. WIS was associated with younger age (20-28 years [vs 49-], adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.99-5.32), supervisory work status (aOR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.35-3.92), and discrimination or slur experience (aOR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.08-2.53).

Conclusions

Educational programs focusing on WIS might be beneficial to promote psychological well-being among nuclear disaster workers, especially younger workers, supervisors, and workers with discrimination experiences. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:460–463)

Keywords

workplace interpersonal supportGreat East Japan Earthquaketraumatic stressindustrial and organizational psychologyFukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident
Type
Brief Report
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 12 , Issue 4 , August 2018 , pp. 460 - 463
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Kasl, SV, Chisholm, RF, Eskenazi, B. The impact of the accident at the Three Mile Island on the behavior and well-being of nuclear workers: part ii: job tension, psychophysiological symptoms, and indices of distress. Am J Public Health. 1981;71(5):484-495.Google Scholar
2. Bromet, EJ, Havenaar, JM. Psychological and perceived health effects of the Chernobyl disaster: a 20-year review. Health Phys. 2007;93(5):516-521.Google Scholar
3. Bromet, EJ, Havenaar, JM, Guey, LT. A 25 year retrospective review of the psychological consequences of the Chernobyl accident. Clin Oncol. 2011;23(4):297-305.Google Scholar
4. Loganovsky, K, Havenaar, JM, Tintle, NL, Guey, LT, Kotov, R, Bromet, EJ. The mental health of clean-up workers 18 years after the Chernobyl accident. Psychol Med. 2008;38(4):481-488.Google Scholar
5. Shigemura, J, Tanigawa, T, Saito, I, Nomura, S. Psychological distress in workers at the Fukushima nuclear power plants. JAMA. 2012;308(7):667-669.Google Scholar
6. Benedek, DM, Fullerton, C, Ursano, RJ. First responders: mental health consequences of natural and human-made disasters for public health and public safety workers. Ann Rev Public Health. 2007;28:55-68.Google Scholar
7. Paton, D, Johnston, D. Disasters and communities: vulnerability, resilience and preparedness. Disaster Prev Manag. 2001;10(4):270-277.Google Scholar
8. Prati, G, Pietrantoni, L. The relation of perceived and received social support to mental health among first responders: a meta-analytic review. J Commun Psychol. 2010;38(3):403-417.Google Scholar
9. Shigemura, J, Tanigawa, T, Nishi, D, Matsuoka, Y, Nomura, S, Yoshino, A. Associations between disaster exposures, peritraumatic distress, and posttraumatic stress responses in Fukushima nuclear plant workers following the 2011 nuclear accident: the Fukushima NEWS Project study. PloS One. 2014;9(2):e87516.Google Scholar
10. Weiss, DS. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised. In: Wilson JP, Keane T.M., eds. Assessing psychological trauma and PTSD, 2nd ed. New York: The Guilford Press; 2004:168-189.Google Scholar
11. Amercian Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th ed., text revised. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000.Google Scholar
12. Brooks, SK, Dunn, R, Sage, CA, Amlot, R, Greenberg, N, Rubin, GJ. Risk and resilience factors affecting the psychological wellbeing of individuals deployed in humanitarian relief roles after a disaster. J Ment Health. 2015;24(6):385-413.Google Scholar
13. Ursano, RJ, Fullerton, CS, Vance, K, Kao, TC. Posttraumatic stress disorder and identification in disaster workers. Am J Psychiatry. 1999;156(3):353-359.Google Scholar
14. Keller, RT, Greenberg, N, Bobo, WV, Roberts, P, Jones, N, Orman, DT. Soldier peer mentoring care and support: bringing psychological awareness to the front. Mil Med. 2005;170(5):355-361.Google Scholar