Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Disruption of Child Environments and Its Psychological Consequences After the Fukushima Disaster: a Narrative Review Based on the Ecological Systems Model

  • Child and Family Disaster Psychiatry (B Pfefferbaum, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Psychiatry Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

A high prevalence of clinically significant mental health problems was found in children affected by the Fukushima disaster in Japan. We reviewed the literature on child mental health to examine how disasters impacted children in Fukushima.

Recent Findings

Children’s environments, such as family and peer systems, were disrupted by radiation concerns and evacuation. As children struggled with less resources at home and school, they also had to deal with discrimination. Various interventions were implemented, ranging from government financial assistance to several mental health services provided by local care resources to families and children. In addition to organizing such interventions discretely in each microsystem, a collaborative approach involving various intervening entities across multiple levels was deemed necessary for providing comprehensive support to the affected children and their families.

Summary

To promote the healthy psychological development of children, it is necessary to provide multidimensional support for their families, particularly parents, through multidisciplinary collaboration between professionals involved in child and family care.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

Not applicable.

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. Bromet EJ. Emotional consequences of nuclear power plant disasters. Health Phys. 2014;106(2):206–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. •• Mashiko H, Yabe H, Maeda M, Itagaki S, Kunii Y, Shiga T, et al. Mental health status of children after the great East Japan earthquake and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2017;29(2_suppl):131S–8S This article revealed higher rates of mental health problems at the clinical level among the children significantly affected by the nuclear disaster; however, the mental health conditions were not correlated with radiation levels.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Matsuishi T, Nagano M, Araki Y, Tanaka Y, Iwasaki M, Yamashita Y, et al. Scale properties of the Japanese version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ): a study of infant and school children in community samples. Brain and Development. 2008;30(6):410–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. •• Oe M, Maeda M, Ohira T, Itagaki S, Harigane M, Suzuki Y, et al. Trajectories of emotional symptoms and peer relationship problems in children after nuclear disaster: evidence from the Fukushima Health Management Survey. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(1):82 This study described four patterns of emotional systems and three patterns of peer relationship problems in the affected children over a 3-year period after the nuclear disaster, and identified factors associated with each severe trajectory pattern.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Bromet EJ. Mental health of residents near the Three Mile Island reactor: a comparative study of selected groups. J Prev Psychiatry. 1982.

  6. Bromet EJ, Goldgaber D, Carlson G, Panina N, Golovakha E, Gluzman SF, et al. Children’s well-being 11 years after the Chornobyl catastrophe. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2000;57(6):563–71.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Kolominsky Y, Igumnov S, Drozdovitch V. The psychological development of children from Belarus exposed in the prenatal period to radiation from the Chernobyl atomic power plant. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1999;40(2):299–305.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Yabe H, Suzuki Y, Mashiko H, Nakayama Y, Hisata M, Niwa S, et al. Psychological distress after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident: results of a mental health and lifestyle survey through the Fukushima Health Management Survey in FY2011 and FY2012. Fukushima J Med Sci. 2014;60(1):57–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Houts PS, Tokuhata GK, Bratz J, Bartholomew MJ, Sheffer KW. Effect of pregnancy during TMI crisis on mothers’ mental health and their child’s development. Am J Public Health. 1991;81(3):384–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Bronfenbrenner U. Ecology of the family as a context for human development: research perspectives. Dev Psychol. 1986;22(6):723–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Suzuki Y, Miyaoka Y. Stress in mothers who have moved after the East Japan Earthquake: focusing on victims in Fukushima Prefecture. J Atomi Univ. Faculty of Literature. 2018;53:229–37.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Yokemoto M, Nemoto S, Doi T. A study on the damage from Fukushima nuclear accident: interviews with evacuees from Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture People & Environment 2012;38(2):2–9.

  13. Sakai R, Morita N. Factors relating to the mental health and resilience of children affected by the great East Japan earthquake: a survey of students inside and outside the Disaster area. Jpn J Sch Health. 2017;59:230–41.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Tanaka H, Inui Y. The uneasy living realities on evacuee-families with children - a study on the victims in Ibaraki Prefecture by the Great East Japan Earthquake. J Hum Living Environ. 2015;22(2):93–102.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Yoshioka-Maeda K, Kuroda M. Literature review on Fukushima nuclear plant accident and evacuation: focusing on the literature published during 2011~2014. J Jpn Acad Commun Health Nursin. 2015;18(2-3Comb-No):69–78.

  16. Yamane S. Problems of the evacuees resulting from the Fukushima nuclear accident. 2013. Faculty of Literature & Social Sciences. Yamagata Univ Ann Res Rep. 10:37–51.

  17. Yoshioka-Maeda K, Togari T. Experiences of male workers whose wife and children evacuated voluntarily after Fukushima Nuclear Disaster. J Jpn Acad Nurs Sci. 2019;39:38–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Fukushima Prefecture. Survey of intentions of evacuees of Fukushima Prefecture [Fukushimaken Hinansha Iko Chosa]. 2016. Available from: http://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/site/portal/ps-hinansha-ikouchousa.html.

  19. Fomby P, Cherlin AJ. Family instability and child well-being. Am Sociol Rev. 2007;72(2):181–204.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Lee D, McLanahan S. Family structure transitions and child development: instability, selection, and population heterogeneity. Am Sociol Rev. 2015;80(4):738–63.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Masten AS, Narayan AJ. Child development in the context of disaster, war, and terrorism: pathways of risk and resilience. Annu Rev Psychol. 2012;63:227–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Shishido M, Kubo K, Sakaguchi Y. Process of rebuilding the life for family raising infant over a period of two years since accident of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Pediatr Health Res. 2015;74(5):618–23.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Sato A. Structure of the issues surrounding the nuclear accident evacuees: what has been seen while supporting town meetings. Shakaigaku Hyoron JSR. 2013;64(3):439–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Taormina DP, Rozenblatt S, Guey LT, Gluzman SF, Carlson GA, Havenaar JM, et al. The Chornobyl accident and cognitive functioning: a follow-up study of infant evacuees at age 19 years. Psychol Med. 2008;38(4):489–97.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Honda Y, Fujiwara T, Yagi J, Homma H, Mashiko H, Nagao K, et al. Long-term impact of parental post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms on mental health of their offspring after the great east Japan earthquake. Front Psychiatry. 2019;10:496.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Kuroda Y, Goto A, Koyama Y, Hosoya M, Fujimori K, Yasumura S, et al. Antenatal and postnatal association of maternal bonding and mental health in Fukushima after the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011: the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS). J Affect Disord. 2021;278:244–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. •• Goto A, Bromet EJ, Fujimori K. Pregnancy and Birth Survey Group of Fukushima Health Management Survey. Immediate effects of the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster on depressive symptoms among mothers with infants: a prefectural-wide cross-sectional study from the Fukushima Health Management Survey. BMC Psychiatry. 2015;15:59 This study revealed higher rates of depression among mothers with an infant in Fukushima and factors associated with depression.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Dew MA, Bromet EJ. Predictors of temporal patterns of psychiatric distress during 10 years following the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 1993;28(2):49–55.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Havenaar JM, Van den Brink W, Van den Bout J, Kasyanenko AP, Poelijoe NW, Wholfarth T, et al. Mental health problems in the Gomel region (Belarus): an analysis of risk factors in an area affected by the Chernobyl disaster. Psychol Med. 1996;26(4):845–55.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Bromet EJ, Gluzman S, Schwartz JE, Goldgaber D. Somatic symptoms in women 11 years after the Chornobyl accident: prevalence and risk factors. Environ Health Perspect. 2002;110(suppl 4):625–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  31. Miki T, Fujiwara T, Yagi J, Homma H, Mashiko H, Nagao K, et al. Impact of parenting style on clinically significant behavioral problems among children aged 4–11 years old after disaster: a follow-up study of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Front Psychiatry. 2019;10:45.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Sano N, Kasuya C. Children’s responses to disaster: from interviews with teachers of preschools at Iwaki-City, Fukushima pref. J Appl Psychol Educ Welf Disord. 2013;12:27–41.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Honda T. Supporting children affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. SCJ Forum. 2016;21(1):49–53.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Itagaki S, Harigane M, Maeda M, Yasumura S, Suzuki Y, Mashiko H, et al. Exercise habits are important for the mental health of children in Fukushima after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster: The Fukushima Health Management Survey. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2017;29(2_suppl):171S–81S.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Möller EL, Nikolić M, Majdandžić M, Bögels SM. Associations between maternal and paternal parenting behaviors, anxiety and its precursors in early childhood: a meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2016;45:17–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Barker B, Iles JE, Ramchandani PG. Fathers, fathering and child psychopathology. Curr Opin Psychol. 2017;15:87–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Hiromoto Y. Vacillation and voluntary evacuation in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear accident. Shakaigaku Hyoron JSR. 2016;67(3):267–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Fujita K. Great East Japan Earthquake described by a nurse-teacher: what we can learn from the role of nurse-teacher and disaster experience. Proc Ann Conf Japan Educ Res Assoc. 2014;73:348–9.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Ishikuma T, Ono S, Takahashi T, Matsuzaki M, Ozawa M, Takino Y. Support to children and schools after the East Japan Disater: what can school psychologists do? In: Annu Rep Educ Psychol Jpn. 2011. Japan Assoc Educ Psychol.

  40. Hisata M. Support for children in Great East Japan Earthquake. Jpn J Commun Psychol. 2016;19(2):127–9.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Takezawa S, Ito M, Okura H. Study of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident evacuees as internally displaced persons: towards an anthropology of suffering. Seinan J Cult. 2020;35:39–114.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Kawashima K. Examination of mental health and evacuation life among children with developmental disorders and their parents after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant accident. J Grad School. Taisho University. 2019;43:268–54.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Ito S, Goto A, Ishii K, Ota M, Yasumura S, Fujimori K, et al. Fukushima mothers’ concerns and associated factors after the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster. Analysis qualitative data Fukushima Health Management Survey 2011 to 2013. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2017;29(2_suppl):151S–60S.

  44. Blot WJ, Shimizu Y, Kato H, Miller RW. Frequency of marriage and live birth among survivors prenatally exposed to the atomic bomb. Am J Epidemiol. 1975;102(2):128–36.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Ito S, Sasaki M, Okabe S, Konno N, Goto A. Depressive symptoms and associated factors in female students in Fukushima four years after the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(11):2411.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  46. Neel JV, Schull WJ, McDonald DJ, Morton NE, Kodani M, Takeshima K, et al. The effect of exposure to the atomic bombs on pregnancy termination in Hiroshima and Nagasaki: preliminary report. Science. 1953;118(3071):537–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Silberner J. Psychological A-bomb wounds. Sci News. 1981;120.

  48. Kikuchi S. The first Fukushima nuclear power plant accident’s influence on reproduction: examining the narratives of evacuated pregnant women and midwives who supported them. Rikkyo J Soc Des Stud. 2018;17:7–18.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Oshima N, Yamamoto Y, Ueda A. Current status of the parenting generation in Fukushima after the Great East Japan Earthquake- from psychosocial perspective-. The research. 2020 Bulletin of Iryo Sosei University Graduate School of Humanities. Human Soc Sci. 17:23–35.

  50. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Results of investigation regarding bullying against the students who evacuated from Fukushima Prefecture due to Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident [Genshiryoku Hatsudensho Jiko touniyori fukushimaken kara hinanshiteiru jidou seito ni taisuru ijimeno joukyoutouno kakunin ni kakaru foro-appu kekkani tsuite]. 2017. [cited 10; 79-82]. Available from: https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shotou/seitoshidou/1405633.htm.

  51. Oe M, Maeda M, Ohira T, Itagaki S, Harigane M, Suzuki Y, et al. Parental recognition of bullying and associated factors among children after the Fukushima nuclear disaster: a 3-year follow-up study from the Fukushima Health Management Survey. Front Psychiatry. 2019;10:283.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  52. Miura M, Miura A, Okayasu T. Mental health among children relocating to temporary housing following the Fukushima nuclear accident. Jpn J Psychol. 2018;89:104–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Sroufe LA. The place of attachment in development. Handb Attach Theory Res Clin Appl. 2016;3:997–1011.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Hayashi F, Sanpei M, Ohira T, Nakano H, Okazaki K, Yasumura S, et al. Changes in the mental health status of adolescents following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident and related factors: Fukushima Health Management Survey. J Affect Disord. 2020;260:432–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Nishiyama H, Azuma N, Takino Y, Pfohl B, Ono S, Ishikuma T. Two years after the Great East Japan Earthquakes: Japanese school psychologists’ support growth and recovery activities for children and schools. Ann Rep Japan Assoc School Psychol. 2014;6:115–28.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Ministry of Education, C., Sports, Science and Technology. Suppl Textbook Radiat Educ [Hoshasen Fukudokuhon]. 2014; Available from: https://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/shuppan/sonota/attach/1409776.htm.

  57. Ministry of the Environment. Action plans regarding the measures for health concerns in people affected by the nuclear disaster [Genshiryoku hisaisha no Kenkofuan Taisakuni kansuru akushon puran]; 2012; Available from: http://www.env.go.jp/jishin/rmp.html#other.

  58. Hagiwara T, Okamoto A, Fujii Y, Hisata M. Psychological support to the children suffering from Great East Japan Earthquake: ‘delivery of playing’ activities to the children in shelter. Jpn J Commun Psychol. 2012;15(2):74–84.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Ministry of the Environment. Cases of initiatives for reconstruction [Fukkoni muketa torikumi jirei]. In: Reconstruction Agency. 2013. https://www.reconstruction.go.jp/topics/main-cat1/sub-cat1-1/20131029113414.html#chosa. Accessed 25 Feb 2021

  60. Hirotani T, Fujii N, Aoki E. Collaboration in school activities with nonprofit organizations or private companies. Ann Rep Grad School Educ. Tohoku University. 2018;67(1):235–55.

    Google Scholar 

  61. • Nakamura S, Takahashi N, Sato N, Masuya J. Cooperation with community medical support in school consultation. Bull Center Res Dev Educ. Fukushima University. 2020;(2):73–6 This article described the collaboration between university-based mental health professionals and schools as well as local mental health facilities in Fukushima to support the children affected by the nuclear disaster, primarily involving the experts’ outreach initiatives.

Download references

Code Availability

Not applicable.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiation Medical Science Center for Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan

    Rie Mizuki

  2. Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan

    Tomoyuki Kobayashi & Masaharu Maeda

Authors
  1. Rie Mizuki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tomoyuki Kobayashi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Masaharu Maeda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

R.M. contributed to the conception, drafting, and revision critically of the work. T.K. contributed to the conception and critical revision of the work. M.M. contributed to the conception and revision of the work. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rie Mizuki.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Child and Family Disaster Psychiatry

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mizuki, R., Kobayashi, T. & Maeda, M. Disruption of Child Environments and Its Psychological Consequences After the Fukushima Disaster: a Narrative Review Based on the Ecological Systems Model. Curr Psychiatry Rep 23, 49 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01263-7

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01263-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation