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Published Online: February 2013

Impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake on Caregiver Burden: A Cross-Sectional Study

Minoru Sawa, M.D., Masayuki Takase, M.D., Kazumasa Noju, M.D., Tetsuya Tomiyasu, B.H.S., M.A., Chieko Kawakami, R.N., Hiraki Koishikawa, M.D., Yoneatsu Osaki, M.D., Ph.D., and Takuji Kishimoto, M.D., Ph.D.Authors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatric Services
Volume 64, Number 2
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.000802012
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Abstract

Objective

After the great East Japan earthquake of 2011, residents with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers in Fukushima were evacuated to the prefecture of Chiba. We investigated the impact of the earthquake on the caregivers’ burden.

Methods

Between August 2011 and January 2012, 46 caregivers evacuated from Fukushima and 46 caregivers at similar facilities in Chiba who were not forced to evacuate completed a survey including the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and additional questions. A logistic regression analysis and median tests were performed.

Results

The evacuation was linked to GHQ-12 global scores ≥3, indicating psychiatric morbidity (relative risk [RR]=2.81), as well as to scores ≥8, indicating a more severe condition (RR=3.57). There was a trend for evacuated caregivers to have more social dysfunction than psychological distress.

Conclusions

A statistically significant difference in emotional stress was observed among caregivers who were forced to evacuate after the earthquake.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

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Cover: Tommy, by Mitchell Siporin, 1943. Gouache, 9 × 7 inches. Courtesy of the estate of the artist and the Susan Teller Gallery, New York City.
Psychiatric Services
Volume 64 • Number 2 • February 2013
Pages: 189 - 191
PubMed: 23370626

History

Published in print: February 2013
Published online: 15 October 2014

Authors

Affiliations

Tetsuya Tomiyasu, B.H.S., M.A.
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Hiraki Koishikawa, M.D.
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Yoneatsu Osaki, M.D., Ph.D.
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Takuji Kishimoto, M.D., Ph.D.
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Dr. Sawa, Dr. Takase, Dr. Noju, and Dr. Koishikawa are affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry, and Mr. Tomiyasu is with the Department of Psychology, Kameda Medical Centre, 929 Higashi-cho, Kamogawa, Chiba 296-8602, Japan (e-mail: [email protected]).
Dr. Sawa is also with the Division of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan, where Dr. Osaki and Dr. Kishimoto are affiliated.
Ms. Kawakami is with the Health Care Support Office, Kameda Clinic, Kameda Medical Centre, Kamogawa.

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