Three Mile Island: Psychology and environmental policy at a crossroads.

Abstract

Summarizes the research on the psychological stress that was precipitated by the Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear reactor accident and that could be caused by a restart of TMI's undamaged reactor. The legal background of whether the reactor should be turned on again is explained within the context of case law concerning recovery of damages caused by emotional trauma. Recent court decisions are explored for implications regarding the role of psychology in environmental use assessments that may be required by the National Environmental Policy Act. (41 ref)

Post‐traumatic stress in survivors of an airplane crash‐landing: A clinical and exploratory research intervention

“…A growing literature poses that delayed or long-term effects can be significant (Figley, 1978; Davidson and Baum, 1986), and symptom resolution may be related inversely to elapsed time (Green et al, 1985). It is known that symptoms arise sharply after trauma, but in a review of studies of the Three Mile Island accident, Hartsough and Savitsky (1984) noted that most could not demonstrate longterm effects. Green et al, (1985) cited the important need for empirical evidence to determine whether there is a critical point beyond which symptom resolution is unlikely.…”

Leporello is on his Knees. In Search of Relevance in South African Psychology

“…I could as readily have dealt with issues such as the impact of technology on the environment and the role that psychologists and other social scientists could play (Hartsough & Savitsky, 1984), or I could have paid attention to issues of workforce provision (Mauer, 1978) and labour relations (Eisinger & Levine, 1968;Bennett, 1969Bennett, -1971. On the other hand, as socially relevant issues I may have addressed problems surrounding the delivery of psychological services in the education system, and particularly in the rural areas (Helge, 19851, the role of psychology in multicultural education (Buckalew & Hickey, 1982), or even the possible involvement of psychologists in socialization in traditional societies (KagitGibasi, 1984), or in society in general (Smith, 1983).…”

When Thoughts Turn Toward Nuclear War: Stress Responses, Coping Strategies, and the Importance of Trait Anxiety in Moderating Effects on “Mental Health”1

“…In reflecting on this issue, Tizard (1984) examined research concerning the 16 years of violence and conflict in Northern Ireland as well as the peak periods of anxiety over nuclear weapons in the United Kingdom and found little evidence for a precipitous rise in mental health-related problems that could be linked to these environmental events. Moreover, although stress levels among residents near Three Mile Island increased sharply as a result of the nuclear reactor accident in 1979, most studies demonstrated a decline in effects over time, and those investigations that did show long-term effects were unable to document their behavioral or clinical significance (see Hartsough & Savitsky, 1984). Tizard (1984) attributed the lack of long-term impact of these incidents to the resiliency and adaptability of young people in dealing with threats coming from outside their immediate environment.…”