LIFE SATISFACTION AND FACTORS AFFECTING SATISFACTION IN KAWAUCHI VILLAGE RESIDENTS AT 10 Y AFTER THE FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ACCIDENT

• Published in: Radiation protection dosimetry Vol. 198; no. 1-2; pp. 23 - 30
• Main Authors: Matsunaga, Hitomi, Orita, Makiko, Liu, Mengjie, Taira, Yasuyuki, Takamura, Noboru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 18.02.2022
• Subjects: Dihydrotachysterol; Fukushima Nuclear Accident; Japan; Mental Health; Nuclear Power Plants; Personal Satisfaction; Japan
• ISSN: 0144-8420; 1742-3406; 1742-3406
• DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncab186

Abstract We assessed the life satisfaction and related factors, including the mental health state, of residents of Kawauchi village, Fukushima Prefecture. Among the 374 residents who responded, 237 (63.4%) were satisfied with their current life. Of all respondents, 275 (73.5%) had a sense of belonging to the Kawauchi village community and 158 (42.2%) thought that Kawauchi had recovered after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) accident. Regression analysis revealed that post-traumatic stress disorder checklist-Specific score, sense of belonging to the Kawauchi village community, opinion that Kawauchi village had recovered, timing of return to Kawauchi <2 y and concern about consumption of mushrooms and wild plants from Kawauchi were independently associated with life satisfaction. Although 10 y have passed since the FDNPS accident, it is necessary to continue with risk communication, particularly for new residents of Kawauchi.