Development and preliminary validation of a self-report measure of negative independent and dependent events in Japanese university students

We developed a self-report measure for assessing experiences of negative interpersonal dependent events, negative non-interpersonal dependent events, and negative independent events in Japanese university students, which was named the Negative Independent/Dependent Events Scale. We selected items having sufficient content validity in each negative events category. Undergraduate students (N = 247) responded to the Negative Independent/Dependent Events Scale and self-reported measures of depressive symptoms, reassurance-seeking behaviors, inattention, and lack of perseverance. Consistent with our prediction, all the negative events subscales had moderate positive correlations with depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the negative interpersonal dependent events subscale showed a moderate positive correlation with reassurance-seeking behaviors, and the negative non-interpersonal dependent events subscale showed a strong positive correlation with inattention. Moreover, the negative non-interpersonal dependent events subscale was more strongly correlated with inattention than the other two negative events subscales. In contrast, the negative interpersonal dependent events subscale was more strongly correlated with reassurance-seeking behaviors than with the negative independent events subscale but not more strongly than with the negative non-interpersonal dependent events subscale. These findings indicated the acceptable construct validity of the Negative Independent/Dependent Events Scale. However, further research is necessary to establish the discriminant validity of the negative interpersonal dependent events subscale and the negative non-interpersonal dependent events subscale.

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Causes and consequences of stress generation: Longitudinal associations of negative events, aggressive behaviors, rumination, and depressive symptoms

10.31234/osf.io/m7ea6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Akira Hasegawa ◽

Shin-ichi Oura ◽

Tetsuya Yamamoto ◽

Yoshihiko Kunisato ◽

Yuko Matsuda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Graduate Students ◽

University Students ◽

Self Report ◽

Stress Generation ◽

Negative Events ◽

Aggressive Behaviors ◽

Independent Events ◽

Path Analyses ◽

Longitudinal Associations

The present study examined the causes and consequences of stress generation in university students in Japan. A two-wave longitudinal study with an 8- or 9-week interval was conducted in the fall of 2020. Undergraduate and graduate students at four universities in Japan (N = 201) completed self-report measures assessing experiences of negative interpersonal dependent events, negative non-interpersonal events, and negative independent events at two times. At the same time, they also responded to measures of aggressive behaviors, trait rumination, and depressive symptoms. Path analyses revealed that baseline aggressive behaviors were positively associated with an increase in subsequent negative interpersonal dependent events, even after controlling for the influences of negative interpersonal dependent events, rumination, and depressive symptoms at baseline. However, aggressive behaviors were not significantly associated with subsequent negative non-interpersonal dependent events or negative independent events. These findings suggest that aggressive behaviors may have been a factor leading to interpersonal stress generation. Furthermore, all categories of negative event experiences predicted an increase in subsequent depressive symptoms, but not subsequent rumination, and rumination was not significantly associated with subsequent depressive symptoms. The present research extends previous examinations of the causes and consequences of stress generation conducted in Western countries by using specific measures of aggressive behaviors and by including a non-restricted sample of university students in Japan.

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Experiences and problems with hygiene masks reported by Japanese hay fever sufferers

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology ◽

10.1108/ijcst-08-2013-0093 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 262-273 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mika Morishima ◽

Koya Kishida ◽

Takashi Uozumi ◽

Masayoshi Kamijo

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

University Students ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Hay Fever ◽

Self Report ◽

Content Type ◽

Technical Data ◽

Japanese University ◽

Holistic Perspective

Purpose – In Japan, one of the countermeasures used to avoid the symptoms of hay fever (HF) is a hygiene mask; however, a mask can cause discomfort. The authors believe that co-occurrence analysis, which has been widely in the sciences, will be valuable to this issue. The purpose of this paper is to identify problems associated with the use of hygiene masks and recommend improvements in their function and comfort. The goal of this study was to obtain information for the development of effective hygiene masks for HF sufferers and therefore, improve their quality of life. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a survey of university students with HF (n=1,519) to identify problems with hygiene masks. Students completed self-report questionnaires and co-occurrence analyses were used to examine the data from a holistic perspective. Moreover, technical data, relative to the problems of wearing a mask were acquired experimentally using thermal, hygroscopic, and airflow properties. Findings – Among Japanese university students, hygiene masks were the most popular countermeasure against HF symptoms. In addition, it was found that wearing a mask was not influenced of the type of symptoms. Most problems were related to the masks’ thermal, hygroscopic, and airflow properties. Originality/value – The paper proposed the use of co-occurrence analysis to analyze problems with hygiene masks. Most problems appear to be related to the thermal, hygroscopic, and airflow properties of the masks. Moreover, such phenomena have been experimentally demonstrated.

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Perfectionism, Self-Efficacy, and Depression: Preliminary Analysis of the Japanese Version of the Almost Perfect Scale–Revised

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.104.3.896-908 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 104 (3) ◽

pp. 896-898 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Keiko Nakano

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

University Students ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Japanese Version ◽

Total Sample ◽

Self Report ◽

Japanese Culture ◽

Japanese University ◽

High Standards

The Almost Perfect Scale–Revised is a self-report measure of perfectionism. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the scale's Japanese version and its relation to self-efficacy and depression. Japanese university students ( N = 249) completed the Japanese version of the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised along with the General Self-Efficacy Scale–12 and the Self-Rating Depression Scale. Exploratory factor analysis indicated three factors: Discrepancy, High Standards, and Order. Estimates of internal consistency reliability for the three subscales were high. Confirmatory factor analysis of the Almost Perfect Scale–Revised in another group of Japanese university students ( N = 206) supported the 3-factor structure. Cluster analyses using the three subscales yielded four clusters. In addition to adaptive perfectionists, maladaptive perfectionists, and nonperfectionists, identified in previous studies, a normal perfectionists group was identified, with mean scores similar to those of the total sample and depression and self-efficacy scores close to those of nonperfectionists. Adaptive perfectionists, characterized by high scores on High Standards and Order and low scores on Discrepancy, also had higher scores on self-efficacy and lower scores on depression than maladaptive perfectionists and even nonperfectionists. The influence of Japanese culture is discussed.

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Gamified Mobile Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Japanese University Students With Depressive Symptoms: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

JMIR Research Protocols ◽

10.2196/15164 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. e15164

Author(s):

Kengo Yokomitsu ◽

Tomonari Irie ◽

Mayu Sekiguchi ◽

Ayako Shimizu ◽

Hirofumi Matsuoka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽

University Students ◽

Treatment Condition ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Health Sciences ◽

Cognitive Behavioral ◽

Japanese University ◽

Symptoms Of Depression

Background Evidence shows that computerized self-help interventions are effective for reducing symptoms of depression. One such intervention, SPARX, is a gamified mobile computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) developed for adolescents in New Zealand, which was shown to be as effective as usual care for young people with mild-to-moderate symptoms of depression. However, gamified cCBT has not yet been tested in Japan. Objective This trial is designed to investigate whether a Japanese-adapted version of SPARX improves depressive symptoms in Japanese university students with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms. Methods In this 7-week, multicenter, stratified, parallel-group, superiority randomized trial, participants will be allocated to either a treatment condition (SPARX) or a wait-list control condition. SPARX is a fully automated program, which will be delivered to the mobile phone or tablet device of the participants. SPARX is designed as an interactive fantasy game to guide the user through seven modules that teach key CBT strategies. All participants will be recruited from universities via advertisements on online bulletin boards, the campus newspaper, and posters. Participants in the treatment condition will use the SPARX program weekly. The primary outcome is the reduction of depressive symptoms (using Patient Health Questionnaires-9) measured at baseline and weekly: once after the 7-week intervention and once at a 1-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include satisfaction with the program and satisfaction with life, measured by the Satisfaction With Life Scale; positive and negative moods, measured by the Profile of Mood States Second Edition; social functioning, measured by the EuroQol Instrument; rumination, measured by the Ruminative Responses Scale; and coping, measured by the Brief Coping Orientation to Problem Experienced Inventory. Results This study received funding from The Research Institute of Personalized Health Sciences, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, and obtained institutional review board approval in September 2019. Data collection began in April 2019. Conclusions Results of this trial may provide further evidence for the efficacy of gamified cCBT for the treatment of depression and, specifically, provide support for using SPARX with Japanese university students. Trial Registration Japan Primary Registries Network UMIN000034354; https://tinyurl.com/uu7xd77 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/15164

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When altruists cannot help: The influence of altruism on the mental health of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-25715/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yi Feng ◽

Min Zong ◽

Zhizun Yang ◽

Wen Gu ◽

Dan Dong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Negative Affect ◽

University Students ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Online Survey ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Valuable Insight

Abstract Background: The positive predictive effect of altruism on physical and psychological well-being has been extensively demonstrated in previous studies, but few studies have examined the effect of altruism on negative mental health outcomes when altruists cannot perform altruistic behaviours. This study explored the influence of altruism on negative affect and mental health (anxiety and depressive symptoms) during the COVID-19 pandemic while people self-isolated at home in China.Method: University students were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional online survey during the outbreak of COVID-19 in China. Self-reported perceived risk, altruism, negative affect, anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Self-Report Altruism Scale (SRA scale), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-9). A structural equation model was used to analyse the mediating and moderating effects on mental health. Results: The final sample comprised 1346 Chinese participants (Mage = 19.76 ± 2.23 years, 73% female). Overall, the higher the risk the participants perceived, the more negative affect they exhibited (β = 0.16, p < .001), and thus, the more anxious and depressed they felt (β = 0.134, p < .001); however, this relationship between risk perception and negative affect was moderated by altruism. In contrast to previous studies, the increase in negative affect associated with the increased perceived risk was pronounced among individuals with high altruism (t = 7.68, p < .001). Conclusions: Individuals with high altruism exhibited more negative affect than those with low altruism, which indirectly increased their anxiety and depressive symptoms. These findings enrich theories of altruism and provide valuable insight into the influence of altruism on mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Factor Analyzing the College Self-Expression Scale with a Spanish Population

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1988.63.2.503 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 63 (2) ◽

pp. 503-507 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Vicente E. Caballo ◽

Gualberto Buela

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

American Studies ◽

Self Report ◽

Spanish Population ◽

Similarities And Differences ◽

Report Measure

Responses to the College Self-expression Scale, a self-report measure of assertion, were factor analyzed for 843 Spanish undergraduates. Data were gathered from several samples in a similar population (Spanish university students) and compared with data obtained in American studies. Similarities and differences between Spanish and American populations are highlighted.

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Attentional Control as a Predictor of Response to Psychological Treatment for Depression and Relapse up to 1 year After Treatment: A Pilot Cohort Study

Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy ◽

10.1017/s1352465818000590 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 318-331 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J.E.J. Buckman ◽

R. Saunders ◽

P. Fearon ◽

J. Leibowitz ◽

S. Pilling

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Attentional Control ◽

Psychological Treatment ◽

Post Treatment ◽

Drop Out ◽

Self Report ◽

Residual Symptoms ◽

Depressed Patients ◽

Pre Treatment ◽

Report Measure

Background: Identifying depressed patients unlikely to reach remission and those likely to relapse after reaching remission is of great importance, but there are few pre-treatment factors that can help clinicians predict prognosis and together these explain relatively little variance in treatment outcomes. Attentional control has shown promise in studies to date, but has not been investigated prospectively in routine clinical settings with depressed patients. Aims: This study aimed to pilot the use of a brief self-report measure of attentional control in routine care and investigate the associations between attentional control, psychological treatment response and relapse to depression up to 1 year post-treatment. Method: Depressed patients were recruited from two primary care psychological treatment (IAPT) services and completed the Attentional Control Scale (ACS) alongside routine symptom measures at every therapy session. Participants were tracked and followed up for 1 year post-treatment. Results: Baseline ACS scores were associated with remission and residual depressive symptoms post-treatment, and relapse within 12 months of ending treatment, all independent of pre-treatment depressive symptom severity, and the latter also independent of residual symptoms. Conclusion: A self-report measure of attentional control can potentially be used to predict levels of depressive symptoms post-treatment and can contribute to predicting risk of relapse to depression in IAPT services, without affecting rates of therapy completion/drop-out or data completion of standard IAPT measures. However, this pilot study had a small overall sample size and a very small number of observed relapses, so replication in a larger study is needed before firm conclusions can be made.

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Considering cross-cultural differences in sleep duration between Japanese and Canadian university students

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0250671 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. e0250671

Author(s):

Benjamin Y. Cheung ◽

Kosuke Takemura ◽

Christine Ou ◽

Anne Gale ◽

Steven J. Heine

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Cultural Differences ◽

Biological Process ◽

Sleep Time ◽

Self Report ◽

Significant Heterogeneity ◽

Japanese University ◽

Cross Cultural Differences ◽

Adverse Health Outcomes ◽

Fundamental Biological Process

Sleep is a fundamental biological process that all humans exhibit, and there is much evidence that people suffer adverse health outcomes from insufficient sleep. Despite this evidence, much research demonstrates significant heterogeneity in the amounts that people sleep across cultures. This suggests that despite serving fundamental biological functions, sleep is also subject to cultural influence. Using self-report and actigraphy data we examined sleep among European Canadian, Asian Canadian, and Japanese university students. Significant cultural differences emerged in terms of various parameters of sleep (e.g. sleep time), and beliefs about sleep (e.g. perceived relation between sleep and health). Despite sleeping significantly less than European Canadians, Japanese participants slept less efficiently, yet reported being less tired and having better health. Moreover, relative to European Canadians, Japanese participants perceived a weaker relation between sleep and physical health, and had a significantly shorter ideal amount of sleep. Asian Canadians’ sleep behaviors and attitudes were largely similar to European Canadians suggesting that people acculturate to local cultural sleep norms.

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Perceived Social Support and Emotional Intelligence in University Students

Journal of Professional & Applied Psychology ◽

10.52053/jpap.v1i2.22 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 79-85

Author(s):

Sehrish Wazir ◽

Horima Akbar

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Emotional Intelligence ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Female Gender ◽

Self Report ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

The Social ◽

The Relationship ◽

Report Measure

The present research entitled was conducted to investigate the relationship between perceived social support and emotional intelligence. It was hypothesized that social support has positive correlation with emotional intelligence but negative correlation with female gender. The data was collected from 300 students (134 males and 166 females) from three universities of Southern Punjab. Cross-sectional research design was used. Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Self -Report Measure of Emotional Intelligence (SRMEI) were used to measure the two variables. Results were analyzed by t-test and correlations using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 20. It was discovered that perceived social support has a significant positive correlation with emotional intelligence. It was further revealed that family provides more social support as compared to friends and significant others. Gender has no significant impact on perceived social support and emotional intelligence. Recommendations have also been discussed.

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Depressive Rumination and Past Depression in Japanese University Students: Comparison of Brooding and Reflection

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/15.03.pr0.114k26w6 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 114 (3) ◽

pp. 653-674 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Akira Hasegawa ◽

Munenaga Koda ◽

Yosuke Hattori ◽

Tsuyoshi Kondo ◽

Jun Kawaguchi

Keyword(s):

Self Report ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Japanese University ◽

Depressive Rumination ◽

Independent Variables ◽

Depressed Group ◽

Two Samples ◽

The Relationship ◽

Brooding And Reflection ◽

Report Measure

The Ruminative Responses Scale, a measure of depressive rumination, contains two subscales: Brooding and Reflection. Treynor, Gonzalez, and Nolen-Hoeksema (2003) proposed that Brooding is maladaptive and Reflection is adaptive. This article examined the relationships among Brooding, Reflection, and previous depression in two samples of Japanese undergraduates, who were non-depressed at the time of their participation. Based on answers to a self-report measure, participants were divided into a formerly depressed group, who had experienced an episode that met the criteria for major depression, and a never-depressed group. Logistic regression analyses were conducted with Brooding, Reflection, and current depression as the independent variables and past depression as the dependent variable. Brooding had consistent positive associations with past depression. The relationship between Reflection and past depression was not significant for one sample, but was statistically significant and positive in the second sample. In the second sample, Brooding and Reflection both were related with past depression after controlling for worry.

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