Devising a Scale to Assess Role Reversal Based on the Theory of “Amae” and Determining the Relationship between Role Reversal and a Child's Mental Health

Abstract

　　The purpose of this study was to devise a scale to assess role reversal and to empirically examine the relationship between role reversal and a child's mental health. Role reversal is known as an abusive parent-child relationship in which the child plays the role of a parent and the parent behaves as a child. Findings with regard to role reversal and the theory of “Amae” have been integrated, allowing role reversal to be conceptualized in terms of “Amae.” Drawing on the theory of “Amae,” the current study conceptualized role reversal as including four subordinate concepts; (1) a parent displaying “Amae” to a child, (2) the parent not fulfilling the child's need for “Amae,” (3) the child not displaying “Amae” to the parent, and (4) the child attempting to satisfy the parent's need for “Amae.” Five hundred and fifty-three high school students were surveyed. The Role Reversal Scale―Parent version (hereinafter denoted as RRS-P) and Role Reversal Scale― Child version (hereinafter denoted as RRS-C) were devised based on exploratory factor analysis. The relationship between role reversal and a child's mental health was subsequently verified using correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. Results indicated that role reversal tended to cause worse mental health, low self-esteem, a diminished sense of authenticity, and a high psychological stress response. Therefore, the RRS-P and RRS-C displayed construct validity in terms of the relationship between role reversal and a child's mental health. In addition, results suggested that role reversal can be conceptualized from the perspective of “Amae.”