Table 4.

Reasons for answering the questionnaire and proposal for improvement in the Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey

	total		non-respondents		respondents
					n=169
The reason for response
For contribution	-		-		82	(48.5)
To tell my thoughts.	-		-		77	(45.6)
To take part in a study at the Fukushima Medical University	-		-		68	(40.2)
To always participate	-		-		33	(19.5)
To have time to spare.	-		-		23	(13.6)
Because a result report arrived	-		-		7	(4.1)
Because it was recommended to be submitted to the family	-		-		4	(2.4)
Other	-		-		13	(7.7)
	n=257		n=144		n=113*
The reason for non-response
To have no time to spare	120	(46.7)	59	(41.0)	61	(54.0)
No need for myself	69	(26.8)	38	(26.4)	31	(27.4)
For asking too many questions.	41	(16.0)	20	(13.9)	21	(18.6)
Stress of answers	41	(16.0)	31	(21.5)	10	(8.8)
Do not remember	25	(9.7)	19	(13.2)	6	(5.3)
Do not understand the purpose of the study.	23	(8.9)	17	(11.8)	6	(5.3)
Because it was a study at the Fukushima Medical University	9	(3.5)	9	(6.3)	0	(0.0)
Because a result report did not arrive	3	(1.2)	1	(0.7)	2	(1.8)
Other	59	(23.0)	25	(17.4)	9	(8.0)
	n=257		n=144		n=113*
Suggestions for improving the response rate
To reduce the number of questions.	118	(45.9)	44	(30.6)	74	(65.5)
The study should be repeated every few years	48	(18.7)	22	(15.3)	26	(23.0)
To be able to participate in the study at the same time as the health checkup	41	(16.0)	29	(20.1)	12	(10.6)
To make a result report arrive	27	(10.5)	17	(11.8)	10	(8.8)
Do not submit so troublesome	9	(3.5)	8	(5.6)	1	(0.9)
Interview study	7	(2.7)	7	(4.9)	0	(0.0)
Improvement of the question items	5	(1.9)	4	(2.8)	1	(0.9)
To receive benefits.	3	(1.2)	3	(2.1)	0	(0.0)
Other	36	(14.0)	31	(21.5)	5	(4.4)

n (%)

*We excluded those who participated all three times.