Features of Coping Strategies in Overcoming Extreme Critical Situations: A Study on Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Liquidators and Antiterrorist Participants. Issue 4 (19th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gresko, M.; Marazziti, D.; Piccinni, A.; Mucci, F.; Loganovsky, K. M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of loss and trauma. Volume 23:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 287
• Page End: 302
• Publication Date: 2018-05-19
• Subjects: Antiterrorist operations -- Chernobyl accident -- coping -- coping strategies -- evacuation -- extreme critical situations -- radiation threat; Loss (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Adjustment (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Life change events -- Periodicals; Interpersonal relations -- Periodicals; 154.4
• DOI: 10.1080/15325024.2018.1442133
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1532-5024

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The present study investigated and compared coping strategies and self-perception of psychopathological symptoms or disorders and radiation threat at different times in 122 cleanup workers (liquidators) of the consequences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in 76 liquidators who were also evacuated from the contaminated area, in 81 participants in antiterrorist operations (ATO), and in 84 individuals who were not liquidators or ATO combatants. The results showed that liquidators used a variety of coping strategies, while ATO participants and control subjects mainly used problem-oriented strategies. In all groups, coping subscale scores showed positive correlations with the radiation hazard factor that in turn increased the self-perception of psychopathological symptoms or disorders. Taken together, these findings would suggest that life-threatening stressors related to IR might increase the vulnerability toward developing psychopathological disorders and symptoms.