Five years after the Earthquake and nuclear accident: Loss and its psychological effect

BACKGROUND: On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake hit Tohoku. The Fukushima nuclear power plant accident forced many people to relocate, leaving their hometowns. This study focused on the sense of loss and its psychological effect on the people of Fukushima five years after the earthquake and nuclear accident. METHODS: Quantitative and qualitative analysis from a questionnaire survey including the IES-R scale and open-ended questions. RESULTS: 1021 people participated in this study. At the time of the survey, 490 people relocated within Fukushima prefecture and 531 people left. During the nuclear accident, 632 participants were close to the nuclear power plant; 407 participants reported actual nuclear accident experiences such as exposure to blast ashes, seeing the explosion, hearing explosive sounds and escaping. People lost family members (n = 112) and homes (n = 338) due to the tsunami and earthquake; 439 lost jobs after the earthquake and 410 had economic difficulties; 736 reported their sadness over losing hometowns; 391 people showed IES-R scores over 25, suggesting potential PTSD (Post Traumatic Syndrome). From a multivariate analysis, psychological distress was significantly affected by nuclear accident experience (OR = 1.43, p = 0.04), lost jobs (n = 1.57, p = 0.01), economic difficulty (OR = 1.68, p < 0.01), hometown loss (OR = 1.58, p < 0.05), feeling difficulty living (OR = 3.84, p < 0.01) and social isolation (OR = 1.74, p < 0.01). For hometown loss, significant factors were lost houses (n = 596, p < 0.01), friends (n = 590, p < 0.05), life (n = 421, p < 0.01), family relationships (n = 377, p < 0.01), community (n = 403, p < 0.01) and futures (n = 310, p < 0.01). From qualitative analysis,”I relocated with the children, leaving behind my husband which I regret (a mother with children)” and others. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: After natural disasters, nuclear accidents and wars, people suddenly lose their special monitoring and support are necessary for affected people. KEY MESSAGES: • Many people still suffer from PTSD after the Nuclear Power Plant accident after 5 years. • Many people suffer from a variety of loss such as loss of hometown, friends, family and others due to migration from Fukushima.