Long-term mental health effects of the Chernobyl disaster: an epidemiologic survey in two former Soviet regions.

作者信息

Havenaar J M, Rumyantzeva G M, van den Brink W, Poelijoe N W, van den Bout J, van Engeland H, Koeter M W

机构信息

Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands.

出版信息

Am J Psychiatry. 1997 Nov;154(11):1605-7. doi: 10.1176/ajp.154.11.1605.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the long-term mental health effects of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl.

METHOD

Two population samples (N = 3,044), one from the Gomel region, close to the accident site, and one from Tver, 500 miles away, were studied 6 1/2 years after the event with the use of a variety of self-report questionnaires and a standardized psychiatric interview.

RESULTS

The prevalence of psychological distress and DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders was exceptionally high in both regions. Scores on the self-report scales were consistently higher in the exposed region; however, a higher risk of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders could be demonstrated only among women with children under 18 years of age in the exposed region.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial long-term mental health effect of the Chernobyl incident was demonstrated, mainly at a subclinical level.