Mental Health and Related Factors of Hospital Nurses

Abstract

The mental health of hospital nurses is a key health issue in public health promotion during the recovery phase following the Fukushima disaster. In this study, conducted 4 years after the disaster, we analyzed the overall mental health, knowledge, risk perception of radiation, and work and daily life burdens of nurses working at medical institutions in the Fukushima Prefecture (collection rate = 89.6%; response number = 730). Overall mental health status was estimated using the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire, and 333 respondents (45.6%) scored above the 12-item General Health Questionnaire threshold point (≥4), indicating probable emotional distress compared with the general population under normal circumstances. Multivariate logistic analysis suggested that the ability to cope with daily life and work-related stressors were more important than risk perception and acquisition of knowledge regarding radiation and its control methods for supporting the mental health of nurses following the Fukushima disaster.

Risk Perception and Anxiety Regarding Radiation after the 2011 Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Accident: A Systematic Qualitative Review

“…Consistent with findings from general Fukushima residents, Nukui et al [ 21 ] revealed that dread risk perception in nurses was partly related to high-risk mental health problem, although other factors, such as ability to cope with daily life and work-related stressors were more important. Among medical assistance workers deployed to the disaster area, concern about radiation exposure was significantly associated with higher scores of psychological distress, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms one month after 11 March 2011 [ 33 ].…”

“…Twenty-two articles and the two surveys assessed risk perception or anxiety regarding radiation. Seven articles (29%) examined governing factors and explained the variance of risk perception [ 7 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 32 ], 10 (42%) examined the effects of risk perception or anxiety [ 7 , 11 , 12 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 33 , 34 ], and five (21%) [ 18 , 20 , 29 , 30 , 31 ] reported modifiability due to interventions (three of which also explain variance of risk perception factors). Three articles and the two surveys (20%) assessed risk perception and anxiety only [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 35 , 36 ], and did not examine governing factors and effects.…”

“…Inter-rater consistency was acceptable (κ = 0.72, p < 0.001). Evaluation of the full text against the eligibility criteria left 19 articles [ 7 , 11 , 12 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ] in the final review. Another three articles [ 32 , 33 , 34 ] were found by hand-searching of the reference lists of the 19 articles.…”

Prevalence and Influencing Factors of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in the First-Line Medical Staff Fighting Against COVID-19 in Gansu

“…Previous studies had suggested that the mental health status of medical staff was worse than in the general population (15,16). For example, Kerrien M et al (17) found that 27% of junior doctors were suffering from depression, while 28.7% were suffering from anxiety.…”

A Simple Survey of the Preparation Situation for Resident's Evacuation in Japanese Prefectures After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

“…Nine years have passed since the complex FDNPP accident, and it is important to know the extent to which the Japanese central and prefectural governments have strengthened their nuclear disaster prevention systems. The biggest problems during the FDNPP accident concerned evacuating residents, inspecting contamination, and the evacuees' long-term mental health ( 23 , 24 ). There are also reports that radioactive contamination from the FDNPP accident caused reputational damage, affecting the industries of foods and products from Fukushima prefecture as well as residents from contaminated areas ( 25 – 28 ).…”