Citation

Yoneshiro A, Takebayashi Y, Murakami M. Disaster Med. Public Health Prep. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/dmp.2023.44

PMID

36891819

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Those affected by the Fukushima disaster have reported a decline in well-being. Although listening to music is expected to promote well-being, no study has revealed this association after a disaster. This study's objective is to clarify the association between well-being and music listening habits in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster.

METHODS: A self-report online survey was conducted with 420 residents who were asked to rate five types of well-being: life satisfaction, positive emotion, negative emotion, psychological distress, and mental health changes after the Fukushima disaster. To meet inclusion criteria, the participants had to be research company monitors between the ages of 20 and 59 living in Fukushima Prefecture at the time of the survey. Their music listening habits (e.g., recent favorite music) and demographic information (e.g., evacuation experience due to the disaster: 20.7%) were also collected. We examined the associations between wellbeing and music listening habits, by univariate analysis followed by logistic analysis with adjustment for covariates.

RESULTS: Positive emotions were significantly associated with any type of music listening habits participants practiced. We also observed gender and age differences between the associations.

CONCLUSION: This study provides foundational insights into the role of music in improving post-disaster well-being.

Language: en

Keywords

mental health; well-being; Fukushima disaster; Great East Japan Earthquake; music