2025 Volume 64 Pages 17-36
This study aimed to review the trends and future directions of developmental research in Japan based on the Proceedings of the 66th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association of Educational Psychology (2024) and academic papers on developmental studies published in domestic academic journals between July 2023 and June 2024. The research is categorized into studies focusing on development up to adolescence and those targeting adulthood and beyond, with a review conducted from the perspective of contemporary social issues. The findings suggest that while both categories address essential developmental aspects specific to their respective stages, they also reflect current social issues. For instance, studies on adolescence highlight issues such as adjustment within school life and problems related to internet usage. In the context of adulthood, the research emphasizes topics such as parenting, child-rearing challenges, and studies focusing on specific professions or experiences. Based on these findings, the study discusses essential perspectives for advancing future developmental research.
