東日本大震災発災7〜9か月後に保護者が捉えた幼児の心身症状の実態と保護者のPTSD関連症状との関連

Psychosomatic symptoms in young children as perceived by guardians, and the relationship between these symptoms and PTSD-related symptoms in guardians at 7-9 months after the Great East Japan Earthquake

要旨

【目的】東日本大震災発災7〜9か月後におけるA県内の被災地の保護者が捉えた幼児の心身症状の実態，幼児の心身症状と保護者のPTSD関連症状との関連を明らかにし，幼児の精神障害予防のための支援の示唆を得る．

【方法】A県内の東日本大震災被災地の幼児とその保護者を対象とし，保護者に対する無記名自記式質問紙調査を実施した．

【結果】震災後慢性期における被災地の幼児が示した心身症状は，調査した29項目全てに認められた．また，27項目において，幼児の心身症状と保護者のPTSD関連症状との関連がみられ，その効果量は小〜中程度であった．

【結論】災害を経験した幼児と保護者への支援として，縦断的な視点から幼児の心身症状を捉えること，幼児によく起こる身体症状であっても心身症状悪化のサインの可能性があることに留意することの必要性が示唆された．

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the psychosomatic symptoms in young children as perceived by guardians in disaster areas in A prefecture at 7-9 months after the Great East Japan Earthquake, clarify the relationship between psychosomatic symptoms in young children and PTSD-related symptoms in guardians, and propose supportive measures for psychiatric disorders in young children.

Methods: We conducted an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire survey of guardians of young children in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in A prefecture.

Results: Psychosomatic symptoms exhibited by young children in the affected areas during the chronic phase after the disaster were found in all 29 items investigated. In 27 items, there was an association between psychosomatic symptoms in young children and PTSD-related symptoms in their guardians, and the effect sizes were small to moderate.

Conclusion: The findings suggest the need for the following support measures for young children and their guardians after a disaster. The psychosomatic symptoms of young children after a disaster should be viewed longitudinally, and the physical symptoms commonly seen in young children may indicate worsening psychosomatic symptoms.