Long-term mental health effects of the Chernobyl disaster: an epidemiologic survey in two former Soviet regions.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the long-term mental health effects of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl.


METHODS
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.
Havenaar
J M
JM
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Rumyantzeva
G M
GM
van den Brink
W
W
Poelijoe
N W
NW
van den Bout
J
J
van Engeland
H
H
Koeter
M W
MW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011210:Power Plants; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002094:Republic of Belarus / Q000453:epidemiology; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014455:Ukraine / Q000453:epidemiology