TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2017//
TI  - The Fukushima nuclear accident affected mothers' depression but not maternal confidence
JO  - Asia-Pacific journal of public health
A1  - Goto, Aya
A1  - Bromet, Evelyn J.
A1  - Ota, Misao
A1  - Ohtsuru, Akira
A1  - Yasumura, Seiji
A1  - Fujimori, Keiya
SP  - 139S
EP  - 150S
VL  - 29
IS  - Suppl 2
N2  - 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.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1010-5395
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1010539516684945
ID  - ref1
ER  -