Finnish reactions facing the threat of nuclear accidents in Russian nuclear power plants.

Abstract

This study examined the reactions of Finnish people to an incident at a Russian nuclear power plant. A random sample of 1280 subjects from four different towns in Southern Finland was sent a questionnaire 6 weeks after the incident. Return rate was 55%. Subjects were asked their interpretation of the situation, their contentedness with information delivery and their perception of risk from Russian nuclear power plants. Also other negative life events during the last year were assessed. Psychological well-being, anxiety and somatization and hypochondria were studied. Subjects living in towns at shorter distance from the power plant interpreted the situation as more serious. They were also more discontented with the information delivery. Despite their worry, most people did not take any protective activities.