Citation

Goto A, Bromet EJ, Ota M, Ohtsuru A, Yasumura S, Fujimori K. Asia Pac. J. Public Health 2017; 29(Suppl 2): 139S-150S.

Affiliation

Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1010539516684945

PMID

28330405

Abstract

The Fukushima nuclear power plant accident caused widespread radiation contamination. Mothers of young children were at risk of negative emotional and mental health consequences. Using data from 2 independent prefecture-wide surveys of pregnant women, we examined the associations of disaster-related stressors with both maternal self-confidence and depressive symptoms. Two postal surveys were conducted targeting women who registered their pregnancies in Fukushima Prefecture (n = 6686 in 2012 and n = 6423 in 2013). The proportions of mothers with lower self-confidence in child rearing and with depressive symptoms were 53% and 25% in 2012 and 55% and 24% in 2013, respectively. After adjusting for maternal and infant characteristics, evacuation and concern about radiation were significantly associated with depressive symptoms but not lower maternal confidence, although these 2 outcomes were significantly associated. Mothers in Fukushima showed resilience in parenting, whereas their experiences and concerns in the aftermath of nuclear disaster were associated with depressive symptoms.

Language: en

Keywords

Fukushima nuclear accident; depression; maternal confidence; mothers; radiation