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Follow‐up study of the general and mental health of people living in temporary housing at 10 and 20 months after the G reat E ast J apan E arthquake
Author(s) -
Nagata Satoko,
Matsunaga Atsushi,
Teramoto Chie
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
japan journal of nursing science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.363
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1742-7924
pISSN - 1742-7932
DOI - 10.1111/jjns.12051
Subject(s) - isolation (microbiology) , mental health , feeling , distress , psychological distress , social isolation , psychology , medicine , mental distress , gerontology , psychiatry , clinical psychology , social psychology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Abstract Aim An earthquake of magnitude 9.0 and accompanying tsunami struck the T ohoku region in northeast J apan on 11 M arch 2011. The purpose of this study was to observe evacuees' health status such as general health, psychological distress, and feeling of isolation over time. Methods The authors distributed a questionnaire survey to residents of temporary housing in J anuary to M arch (time 1) and again in O ctober to D ecember of 2012 (time 2). Results Two hundred respondents who filled out the questionnaire at both times were the subjects of this study. The self‐reported general health in 39% and mental health status in 43.5% of the participants were poor at time 2. In addition, a higher percentage of participants felt a sense of isolation at time 2 even though more of the participants participated in community activities at that time. Conclusion This result shows the evacuees' prolonged psychological distress and strengthening sense of isolation. It will be necessary to monitor them carefully and provide support continuously over the long term.