Psychological status of emergency workers in the period long after completion of emergency operations in the ChNPP zone

Presented are results of investigation into the psychological status of 1986-1987 emergency workers (EWs) with somatic diseases in the period long after completion of emergency operations in the ChNPP zone. Comparative analysis is performed of the psychological status of EWs and persons not involved in emergency operations at ChNPP whose professional activity is connected with ionizing radiation. To estimate the psychological status of EWs the multifactor method of personal identification (MMPI) was used as well as Ch.D.Spielberger questionnaire for assessment of the personality level and reactive alert and the Lusher's test. The analysis of the results showed that the psychological status of EWs in the period long after emergency operations at ChNPP is characterized by the mixed type of reaction, high level of alert, chronic dysadaptation. Psychological status of people not involved in emergency operations at ChNPP but working for a long term under ionizing radiation is characterized as stable. Differences have been revealed in the psychological status of EWs as compared with the control group. Thus long-term psychoemotional stress in EWs leads to transformations in the psychological status.