Abstract
This study sought to investigate the protective and coping factors associated with a feeling of helplessness among junior high school students in terms of time factors and gender differences. Using data collected from three surveys. The first analysis verified the helplessness model of junior high school students and confirmed two paths: contingent experiences (time 1)→ coping efficacy (time 2)→ helplessness (time 3); and non-contingent experiences (time 1)→ biased thoughts about teachers, peer relationships, and oneself (time 2)→biased thoughts about academic work (time 2)→helplessness (time 3). These results suggested coping efficacy and biased thoughts about academic work might be coping factors for helplessness among junior high school students. The second analysis examined the helplessness model by gender using data from three surveys. The highest indirect effect among male students was found to have biased thoughts about peer relationships, while among female students it was found to have biased thoughts about teachers. These results suggest that enhancing peer relationships among male students and enhancing trusting relationships with teachers among female students would serve as protective factors against feelings of helplessness.
