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Psychological effect of the Nagasaki atomic bombing on survivors after half a century
Author(s) -
Ohta Yasuyuki,
Mine Mariko,
Wakasugi Masako,
Yoshimine Etsuko,
Himuro Yachiyo,
Yoneda Megumi,
Yamaguchi Sayuri,
Mikita Akemi,
Morikawa Tomoko
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
psychiatry and clinical neurosciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.609
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1440-1819
pISSN - 1323-1316
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1819.2000.00643.x
Subject(s) - apathy , general health questionnaire , psychology , anxiety , distress , psychiatry , depression (economics) , clinical psychology , psychological distress , cognition , economics , macroeconomics
In 1997 a mental health survey using a 30‐item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐30) and an interview survey of an atomic bombing experience were conducted in survivors of the Nagasaki atomic bombing. Overall psychological distress measured on the basis of the GHQ‐30 was greater in the atomic bombing survivors than in the controls. As for the contents of psychological distress, those concerning emotion such as anxiety and depression were milder in survivors than in the controls, but those related to social activities such as apathy, disturbance of human relations, loss of enjoyment of living were more severe. Furthermore, recurring and distressing recollection of the experience of the atomic bombing, suspicion over the relationship between the atomic bombing and an unhealthy physical condition, and the experience of witnessing death or severe injury of close relatives due to the atomic bombing were significantly related to the degree of psychological distress of the survivors.