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PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF RADIATION RISK PERCEPTION
1State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», 53 Yuriia Illienka Str., Kyiv, 04050, Ukraine.
Problemy Radiatsiinoi Medytsyny Ta Radiobiolohii
|December 29, 2021
Summary
Perception of radiation risk, not actual dose, significantly impacts health and personality. This heightened awareness, particularly in Chornobyl liquidators and evacuees, correlates with psychosomatic disorders and altered brain activity.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Radiological Health
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The perception of radiation risk is a critical factor influencing psychological and physiological well-being, especially in populations exposed to radiation disasters.
- Understanding the subjective and psychophysiological characteristics of radiation risk perception is crucial for identifying coping mechanisms and psychological support needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the subjective and psychophysiological characteristics of radiation risk perception.
- To identify destructive personality traits and psychological compensation factors in individuals affected by radiation disasters.
- To compare these characteristics among Chornobyl liquidators, evacuees, anti-terrorist operation participants, and a control group.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of psychometric and neurophysiological parameters.
- Inclusion of 317 Chornobyl liquidators/evacuees, 101 anti-terrorist operation participants, and 85 controls.
- Utilized psychodiagnostic techniques and computerized electroencephalography (EEG).
Main Results:
- Significantly higher prevalence of hypertrophied radiation risk perception in Chornobyl-affected groups (71.88%-80.0%) compared to controls (35.0%) and ATO participants (33.78%).
- Radiation factors and associated diseases were primary concerns for those with hypertrophied risk perception, while others focused on social and environmental stressors.
- No correlation found between hypertrophied risk perception and actual radiation dose; perception influenced by gender, education, income, and knowledge, leading to helplessness, distress, and psychosomatic issues.
Conclusions:
- A significant percentage of individuals across groups exhibited hypertrophied radiation risk perception.
- Perception and awareness of radiation risk, rather than the actual danger or documented dose, play a key role.
- Hypertrophied risk perception is linked to psychosomatic health disorders and personality changes, supported by neurophysiological findings.
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