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

Author

Listed:
  • Masatsugu Orui

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

  • Yuriko Suzuki

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
    Department of Adult Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan)

  • Aya Goto

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
    Center for Integrated Science and Humanities & International Community health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

  • Seiji Yasumura

    (Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Masatsugu Orui & Yuriko Suzuki & Aya Goto & Seiji Yasumura, 2017. "Factors Associated with Maintaining the Mental Health of Employees after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: Findings from Companies Located in the Evacuation Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2017:i:1:p:53-:d:124924
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oliver Hämmig & Georg Bauer, 2009. "Work-life imbalance and mental health among male and female employees in Switzerland," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 54(2), pages 88-95, April.
    2. Fumi Takeda & Haruko Noguchi & Takafumi Monma & Nanako Tamiya, 2015. "How Possibly Do Leisure and Social Activities Impact Mental Health of Middle-Aged Adults in Japan?: An Evidence from a National Longitudinal Survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(10), pages 1-10, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Masatsugu Orui & Chihiro Nakayama & Nobuaki Moriyama & Masaharu Tsubokura & Kiyotaka Watanabe & Takeo Nakayama & Minoru Sugita & Seiji Yasumura, 2021. "Those Who Have Continuing Radiation Anxiety Show High Psychological Distress in Cases of High Post-Traumatic Stress: The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Shuhei Nomura & Michio Murakami, 2018. "Public Health Preparedness for and Response to Nuclear Disasters: An Editorial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-4, November.
    3. Masatsugu Orui & Chihiro Nakayama & Nobuaki Moriyama & Masaharu Tsubokura & Kiyotaka Watanabe & Takeo Nakayama & Minoru Sugita & Seiji Yasumura, 2020. "Current Psychological Distress, Post-traumatic Stress, and Radiation Health Anxiety Remain High for Those Who Have Rebuilt Permanent Homes Following the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-14, December.

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