Living in the Restoration Public Housing after the Great East Japan Earthquake Correlates with Lower Subjective Well-Being of Older Adults

Social capital, health status, and sociodemographic factors associated with subjective well-being among older adults: a comparative study of community dwellings and nursing homes

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to examine the differences in relationships among social capital components, health status, sociodemographic characteristics, and subjective well-being (SWB) among older adults in institutionalized versus non-institutionalized care environments.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 1,037 older adults aged 65-95 years from nine communities and nine nursing homes across three regions of Zhejiang Province, China. Social capital and SWB were assessed using the Social Capital Scale and the Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSH), respectively. Propensity score matching (PSM, 1:1, caliper width 0.02) was applied to balance key sociodemographic characteristics and health status between community-dwelling and nursing home residents. Multivariable linear regression was utilized to analyze the relationships among social capital components, health status, sociodemographic factors, and SWB in both groups.

RESULTS

PSM identified 290 older adults in community dwellings and a comparable group (n = 290) in nursing homes. Comparative analysis showed that nursing home residents demonstrated lower SWB. Multivariable linear regression revealed that social connection, trust, and cohesion were positively associated with SWB in both groups. However, social participation was only significantly linked with community dwellings residents. Both groups showed a positive relationship between SWB and self-rated health, but the number of chronic conditions did not show a significant link with SWB. Additionally, higher income (≥ 3000 RMB) and a middle school education linked to higher SWB among community-dwelling older adults, whereas family structure, specifically being not in union and having three or more children, was associated with lower SWB in the nursing home group.

CONCLUSION

Social capital and health status showed a strong and consistent association with SWB in both groups. Strengthening social connections, trust, and cohesion, along with maintaining positive health perceptions, is expected to enhance the well-being of older adults, particularly for those in institutional settings. Notably, differences in how sociodemographic factors influence SWB across settings. These findings indicate the necessity for tailored interventions that address the unique needs of each care environment to promote healthier aging experiences.

Essential health risk communication for recovery after lifting evacuation orders following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, managed by the Tokyo Electric Power Company experienced a catastrophic accident in 2011 that led to widespread public anxiety regarding radiation exposure and the long-term impacts of evacuation. The recovery process has considerably varied across the affected municipalities, highlighting the need for effective and targeted risk communication to support residents in understanding these situations and making informed decisions. This study aims to examine the health risk communication strategies implemented by health and medical welfare experts in response to the lifting of evacuation orders in formerly evacuated areas. We provide an overview of the practical activities carried out by these experts, with a particular focus on the contributions of Fukushima Medical University, Hirosaki University, and Nagasaki University. Over the years, these institutions have played a key role in radiation protection and public health initiatives, guided by scientific and technical perspectives. Our findings underscore the necessity of evolving two-way communication practices that are responsive to specific needs of the recovery phase. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of integrating comprehensive health promotion activities with radiation health risk communication to ensure sustained attention to both physical and mental health. Furthermore, expert communication efforts remain essential in supporting social care professionals who are involved in the ongoing care of residents. Finally, the global sharing of Fukushima's recovery strategies is essential for providing insights that can inform future disaster preparedness efforts.

Noncompliance with Hypertension Treatment and Related Factors among Kumamoto Earthquake Victims Who Experienced the COVID-19 Pandemic during Postearthquake Recovery Period

Survivors of the Kumamoto earthquake of 2016 experienced the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak while carrying additional burdens that might bring inadequate coping. This cross-sectional survey aimed to identify untreated and interrupted consultations among those with hypertension and related factors and to identify the disaster's long-term effects. Of the 19,212 earthquake survivors who had moved to permanent housing, 7367 (4196 women and 3171 men, mean age 61.8 ± 17.3 years) completed a self-administered questionnaire. The prevalence of hypertension was 41.4%. The results of the logistic regression analysis with the significant independent variables in the bivariate analysis were: reduced income due to COVID-19 (AOR = 3.23, 95%CI = 2.27-4.58) and poor self-rated health (AOR = 2.49, 95%CI = 1.72-3.61) were associated with a risk of untreated or discontinued treatment. Moreover, living in rental, public or restoration public housing was also significantly associated with a higher risk of hypertension noncompliance (AOR = 1.92, 95%CI = 1.20-3.07; AOR = 2.47, 95%CI = 1.38-4.42; AOR = 4.12, 95%CI = 1.14-14.90). These results suggest that changes due to COVID-19, the extent of self-rated health and the type of permanent housing influence the hypertension consulting behaviour of earthquake survivors during recovery. It is crucial to implement long-term public support for the mental health, income and housing concerns of the survivors.

Risk communication regarding radiation exposure by experts using two concepts of regulatory science and ALARA

In the Tohoku region of Japan, risk communication programs on radiation exposure are of great importance, especially with respect to reducing the stress and anxiety among those affected by radiation exposure. Although the concepts of 'as low as reasonably achievable' (ALARA) and regulatory sciences (RS) were very important for the smooth operation of risk communication among a wide range of stakeholders, our previous research showed that only 23.5% and 16.5% of medical doctors in Japan had an accurate awareness of them, respectively. To make risk communication more effective, this study examined the levels of awareness of the concepts of ALARA and RS among academic experts in Japan and compared their level of awareness of technical terms regarding radiation to that of the expected level for a layperson. This study also showed that, even among faculty working at graduate schools in Japan, only 29.8% and 39.4% had an accurate knowledge of ALARA and RS. To improve the knowledge of laypeople and experts on these concepts, they should be added to the primary education curriculum. This study demonstrated that among experts in many academic fields, a significant range of estimates existed of lay knowledge of technical terms regarding radiation. The highest scores were assigned by faculty in the field of humanities. Thus, before conducting risk communications, experts from all fields should identify the expected level of awareness among laypeople on the topic. In addition, risk communications regarding radiation should be conducted by academic experts and healthcare professionals together with facilitators or lecturers.

Social trust and stress symptoms among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Asia

Objectives

To investigate whether social trust is associated with more stress symptoms among middle-aged and older adults in six East and Southeast Asia regions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This multi-region study used cross-sectional survey data collected in May 2020. Participants were a probability-based internet sample of adults aged 55 or older.

Results

Government trust was negatively associated with stress in Singapore and South Korea. Higher levels of health care trust were significantly associated with less stress in Singapore and Taiwan. Trust in neighbors was associated with a higher likelihood of stress in Hong Kong and a lower likelihood in Singapore. Social trust was not associated with stress in Japan or Thailand.

Discussion

Findings suggest the level of social trust in relation to stress substantially varied by region. Interventions to strengthen trust during COVID-19 and other major health crises need to be tailored to fit regions’ unique circumstances.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-02847-5.

Subjective Wellbeing and Related Factors of Older Adults Nine and a Half Years after the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Coastal Area of Soma City

This study examined older adults’ subjective wellbeing and related factors in the coastal area of Soma City nine and a half years after the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE). Data were collected from 65- to 84-year-old residents and 1297 participants via a questionnaire from October to November 2020. The participants were divided into two groups: housing complexes and non-housing complexes. The dependent variable was subjective wellbeing assessed via Lawton’s Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS). Using multivariate regression analysis, the factors most strongly related to a low PGCMS score for both groups were poor health conditions, difficulties resting while asleep, poor financial wellbeing, inability to chew certain foods, and fear of solitary death. The GEJE experience was further distinguished in the housing complex group by the loss of an important non-family individual; for the other group, important factors were female gender, junior high school education level or lower, limited social networks, and deterioration of a family member’s health. Older adults’ subjective wellbeing in Soma City was low after nine and a half years following the GEJE. For disaster victims and their families in both groups, it is crucial to implement measures such as long-term, continuous physical and mental health support.

Association of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Physical Function, and Mental Health among Older Returnees after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident

The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and consequent Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident caused a large-scale evacuation, generating various health issues. Although residents gradually returned, their independence of daily living and associated factors remain unknown. This study examines the hypothesis that physical and mental status are associated with the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) of older returnees (65 years and above) after the disaster. Older returnees to Kawauchi Village, Fukushima Prefecture, located 20–30 km southwest of the power plants, were recruited. IADL was assessed using the Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence, physical function via the 30-s chair stand test, and mental health via the Japanese version of the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index. To examine the association of IADL and possible factors, a t-test or Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient was used, stratified by sex. The data of 29 participants (75.5 ± 7.4 years, 19 female) were analyzed. Physical function was associated with IADL in females. Mental health was associated with IADL in males and females. Taking measures to strengthen physical function in females, as well as to improve mental health in both sexes, for enhancing IADL ability could be beneficial.

Association of Perceived Environment and Physical Activity in Older Adults After the Great East Japan Earthquake

The aim of this study was to examine the association between perceived environment and physical activity among older adults in Fukushima Prefecture after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the impact of evacuation. Questionnaires were distributed to individuals aged 65 years and older from October to November 2018. Perceived environment was assessed using a five-item questionnaire on home fitness equipment, access to facilities, neighborhood safety, enjoyable scenery, and frequency of observing others exercising. Physical activity, assessed via the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Elderly Japanese, was segregated into levels based on the median score. Data from 249 participants (74.2 ± 6.9 years) were analyzed. A logistic regression analysis found that the unenjoyable Scenery × Residing in restoration public housing interaction (odds ratio = 3.87, 95% confidence interval = [1.20, 12.46]) was significant. The association between enjoyable scenery and physical activity varied according to whether the participants had experienced evacuation or not.

Motivation for and Effect of Cooking Class Participation: A Cross-Sectional Study Following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

We explored the association between the motivation for and effects of cooking class participation in disaster-affected areas following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. We conducted questionnaire surveys in January and February 2020, and applied three Poisson regression models to a cross-sectional dataset of participants, analyzing three perceived participation effects: increase in new acquaintances and friends, increase in excursion opportunities, potential for gaining motivation, and a new sense of life purpose. We also applied the interaction term of motivation variables and usual eating patterns (eating alone or with others). We obtained 257 valid responses from 15 cooking venues. The interaction term for participants’ motivation and eating patterns was associated with their perceived participation effects. “Motivation for nutrition improvement × eating alone” was positively associated with an increase in new acquaintances and friends (IRR: 3.05, 95% CI, 1.22–7.64). “Motivation for increasing personal cooking repertoire × eating alone” was positively associated with increased excursion opportunities (IRR: 5.46, 95% CI, 1.41–21.20). In contrast, the interaction effect of “motivation of increasing nutrition improvement × eating alone” was negatively associated with increased excursion opportunities (IRR: 0.27, 95% CI, 0.12–0.69). The results show that the cooking class was effective, as residents’ participation improved their nutritional health support and increased their social relationships.

Association between Psychological Factors and Evacuation Status and the Incidence of Cardiovascular Diseases after the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Prospective Study of the Fukushima Health Management Survey

Evidence regarding the effect of psychological factors and evacuation on cardiovascular disease occurrence after large-scale disasters is limited. This prospective study followed up a total of 37,810 Japanese men and women aged 30–89 years from the Fukushima Prefecture with no history of stroke or heart disease at baseline (2012), until 2017. This period included 3000 cardiovascular events recorded through questionnaires and death certificates. The participants’ psychological distress, trauma reaction, and evacuation status were defined, and divided into four groups based on combinations of psychological factors and evacuation status. We calculated the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for only psychological, only evacuation, or both of them compared with neither using Cox proportional hazard models. Psychological factors along with evacuation resulted in approximately 5% to 25% higher magnitude of stroke and heart disease risk than psychological factors only among men. Compared to neither, the multivariable hazard ratios of those with both psychological distress and evacuation were 1.75 for stroke and 1.49 for heart disease, and those of both trauma reaction and evacuation were 2.01 and 1.57, respectively, among men. Evacuation combined with psychological factors increased the risk of stroke and heart disease risks especially in men after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Understanding Psychosocial Wellbeing in the Context of Complex and Multidimensional Problems

This Special Issue deals with the topic of how people and social groups face problems in an increasingly complex and globalized society. The topics included in the call for papers were the interaction of psychosocial well-being and mental health with economic, gender, racial and ethnic inequalities, migration and demographic change and conflict and war, as well as the effects of stigma on people discriminated against because of their differential characteristics, whether they are of a sexual, disability or other minority. We made this proposal because we believed that, despite the introduction of the biopsychosocial model in the late 1970s as a paradigm of the integration of different disciplinary views, research in mental health and psychosocial well-being is still highly fragmented. For decades, we have tried to advance by emphasizing a part of the equation, with results that are at least modest. Therefore, in this Special Issue, we prioritized works aiming at disciplinary and methodological integration. The Special Issue was open to any subject area related to the impacts of social issues on mental health and psychosocial well-being. We were interested in empirical and theoretical enquiries at all ecological levels, from the psychosocial impact of social dynamics on individuals, to the analysis of how sociocultural and geopolitical factors influence health and collective psychosocial well-being.

Trust After Terror: Institutional Trust Among Young Terror Survivors and Their Parents After the 22nd of July Terrorist Attack on Utøya Island, Norway

In the aftermath of terrorist attacks and disasters, public institutions play an important role in re-establishing safety and justice. However, little is known about the importance of institutional trust for victims' potential for healing in the aftermath of mass trauma. This study examines levels of post-terror trust in the police and in the justice system among young survivors from the 2011 Utøya terror attack and their parents. Furthermore, it investigates how institutional trust develops over time among directly affected populations, and whether it is associated with psychological distress. 325 survivors and 463 parents were interviewed face-to-face at wave one (4-5 months post-terror) and 285 survivors and 435 parents at wave two (14-15 months). Levels of institutional trust in victims were compared to general population data from the European Social Survey adjusted for age, gender, and ethnic background. Measures included trust in the police and justice system, post-traumatic stress reactions, anxiety and depression, and quality of life. Trust in the police among survivors and parents was higher than or comparable to trust levels in the general population at wave one, but decreased for survivors and parents at wave two. Trust in the justice system was higher among those directly affected than in the general population, and increased from wave one to wave two. Levels of institutional trust were negatively associated with distress for survivors in both waves and for parents in wave two. Levels of institutional trust were positively associated with perceived quality of life in parents and survivors. Directly affected groups' institutional trust differed from that of the general population following the terrorist attack, although being directly affected did not necessarily imply weakened institutional trust. This study found trust to be institution specific, however, trust in institutions changed with time, and the passing of time might be an important factor in better understanding whether trust will generalize across institutions or not. Institutional trust was negatively associated with psychological distress. This finding highlights the potential for institutions to create a healing post-disaster environment.