Citation

Sato H, Techasrivichien T, Omori A, Ono-Kihara M, Kihara M. Disaster Med. Public Health Prep. 2018; ePub(ePub): 1-8.

Affiliation

Department of Global Health and Socio-epidemiology,Kyoto University School of Public Health,Kyoto,Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/dmp.2018.100

PMID

30591088

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to assess the psychosocial consequences among nurses affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in order to identify their coping strategies and explore possible countermeasures against complex disasters.

METHODS: In 2012, we conducted a qualitative study and screened participants for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

RESULTS: Thirty-eight nurses participated in this study. The result showed a relatively high proportion of probable PTSD (39%). Thirty-two conceptual codes emerged from the data and were grouped into 8 categories: "initial acute stress," "acute stress turning chronic," "chronic physical and mental fatigue," "occupational stress," "fear of the impact of radiation on children's health," "occupational satisfaction," "positive influences of the disaster experiences," and "impact of mutual care through interpersonal cognition." CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals that mutual care may have a positive impact in assisting recovery and enhancing the psychological well-being of nurses. We suggest that disaster management should take into consideration the conflict between professional and family responsibilities. In the light of the chronic impact of the nuclear crisis, enhanced support for interpersonal relationships and human resources, as well as appropriate safety precautions, is urgently needed to help affected nurses. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;page 1 of 8).

Language: en

Keywords

complex; consequences; disaster; interpersonal relationships; psycosocal; role conflict; self-condemnation