Social Support During Emergency Work and Subsequent Serious Psychological Distress: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Emergency Workers who Responded to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident.

Abstract

To examine the association between social support for emergency workers and levels of subsequent psychological distress, focusing on workers who responded to the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident. Male emergency workers (N = 1405) completed self-administered questionnaires, measuring social support during emergency work, subsequent serious psychological stress, occupational and demographic characteristics, and some confounders. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Supervisor support was significantly associated with lower psychological distress, particularly for workers present at the site for over 31 days. For workers present for 10 days or less, coworker support was marginally significant. Social support is an important resource for reducing the risk of subsequent serious psychological distress among emergency workers. The associations of social support with psychological distress can differ depending on work duration and the providers of the support.