The Fukushima Nuclear Accident Affected Mothers' Depression but Not Maternal Confidence.
The Fukushima nuclear power plant accident caused widespread radiation contamination. Mothers of young children were at risk of negative emotional and mental health consequences. Using data from 2 independent prefecture-wide surveys of pregnant women, we examined the associations of disaster-related stressors with both maternal self-confidence and depressive symptoms. Two postal surveys were conducted targeting women who registered their pregnancies in Fukushima Prefecture (n = 6686 in 2012 and n = 6423 in 2013). The proportions of mothers with lower self-confidence in child rearing and with depressive symptoms were 53% and 25% in 2012 and 55% and 24% in 2013, respectively. After adjusting for maternal and infant characteristics, evacuation and concern about radiation were significantly associated with depressive symptoms but not lower maternal confidence, although these 2 outcomes were significantly associated. Mothers in Fukushima showed resilience in parenting, whereas their experiences and concerns in the aftermath of nuclear disaster were associated with depressive symptoms.
['Goto|Aya|A|', 'Bromet|Evelyn J|EJ|', 'Ota|Misao|M|', 'Ohtsuru|Akira|A|', 'Yasumura|Seiji|S|', 'Fujimori|Keiya|K|', '|||']
D000328:Adult D002668:Child Rearing D003863:Depression D005260:Female D062406:Fukushima Nuclear Accident D006306:Health Surveys D006801:Humans D007223:Infant D007564:Japan D008875:Middle Aged D009035:Mothers D011247:Pregnancy D020377:Self Efficacy
Fukushima nuclear accident mothers depression maternal confidence radiation