2016 Volume 31 Pages 49-54
This study investigated the psychological health among junior high school students who evacuated following Fukushima nuclear accident. Ten students living in temporary housing (4 boys and 6 girls) and 530 students living outside the disaster area (258 boys, 270 girls, and 2 unknowns) participated in this survey to measure their stress responses, positive affect, and social support. The results were as follows: (a) the students in temporary housing showed higher scores in physical responses, depression/anxiety, and irritation/anger subscales in stress inventory, positive affect, and family and friend support, but did lower score in helplessness subscale and lower teacher support than the students outside the disaster area, (b) the ratio of the students who reported high stress responses, interrupted sleep and early waking was higher among the students in temporary housing compared to the students outside the disaster area. These results suggested the need for medium- to long-term psychological support for the students living in temporary housing.
