THE CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT AND MENTAL WELL-BEING - A POPULATION STUDY

We studied the long-term effects of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power p lant accident on mental wellbeing 7 years after the event. Mental well being was assessed using a Ii-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The study group comprised 325 persons (aged 15-54 years) who had cont inued to live in the high-fallout area in Bryansk, Russian Federation, classified as a strict control zone with respect to the level of fall out and subsequent radiation protection countermeasures. The control g roup comprised 278 persons living in a noncontaminated area. The menta l wellbeing of women in the study group was poorer than in controls (a ge-adjusted means). Based on the GHQ score, a minor mental disorder wa s detected in 48% of the women in the study group and 34% of the femal e controls. The corresponding figures for men were 26% and 28%, respec tively. Those living with a partner coped better mentally than the oth ers, The level of education was not associated with the GHQ score. Poo r financial situation and self-rated poor health were associated with a high GHQ score. Fifty-nine per cent of the study group and 14% of th e control group wanted to move away from the area of residence, but it was not associated with GHQ score. In a logistic regression analysis, independent factors explaining the GHQ score in the study group were uncertainty about the future in the men and, in addition, poor financi al situation and insufficient social support in the women. According t o the results, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident impaired the long-term mental wellbeing of women living in the contaminated area.