Nuclear anxiety and emotional distress: Reciprocal effects in prospective data

Abstract

Although fears about nuclear war and power plant accidents have been linked to psychological distress, these associations have all been cross-sectional or anecdotal and thus no causal inferences can be drawn. To examine possible bi-directional influences, prospective data were obtained at two time points separated by two months from a group of 94 young adult university students. At both assessments, participants completed the Nuclear Attitudes Questionnaire (that assesses four related dimensions of Nuclear Anxiety) and the Symptom Checklist 53 (that captures nine types of psychopathology generally reflecting Emotional Distress). Cross-lagged latent variable structural equation models were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that latent constructs of Emotional Distress and Nuclear Anxiety were quite stable over time, were modestly related to each other at the first time period, and had no cross-lagged effects between each other (as latent constructs) over time. Specific across-time relationships were evaluated with nonstandard paths (that include measured variables) and revealed several significant effects. More paranoid ideation increased nuclear support and more Emotional Distress reduced nuclear denial. On the other hand, more nuclear support reduced anxiety, reduced somatization, and increased psychoticism, whereas nuclear concern increased Emotional Distress. Theoretical implications of these results are discussed.

Key Words:

• Nuclear anxiety
• nuclear concern
• nuclear attitudes
• worry
• mental health
• emotional distress