Disaster Workers

Assessment of Factors Associated With Long-term Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among 56 388 First Responders After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

“…Although previous literature reported substantial stress-related symptoms after body recovery duties or among those with radiation exposure risk, our study showed a relatively small but significant association regarding participants’ probable PTSD. High morale of first responders or social recognition for their activities might selectively moderate the correlation with their professional disaster experience .…”

“…49,50 The personal effects could be associated with psychological distress via an emotional link between the remains and the disaster workers. 47,51 The psychological effects of the risk of radiation exposure have the potential to be varied with their risk perception. [52][53][54] We did not assess these potential confounders, which might explain the attenuated associations of body recovery duties and risk of radiation exposure with probable PTSD.…”

“…Regarding body recovery, anticipated stress was reported in a series of soldier studies . The personal effects could be associated with psychological distress via an emotional link between the remains and the disaster workers . The psychological effects of the risk of radiation exposure have the potential to be varied with their risk perception .…”