This study evaluated a scale to detect psychological signs of school maladaptation in students. The sample consisted of 1,420 students (597 junior high school students and 823 senior high school students） in
A and B Prefectures.
Following item and factor analyses of the students’ responses to a questionnaire, the Psychological Sign Scale was developed, consisting of one factor and 10 items. The scale was confirmed to have adequate internal consistency, reliability, and criterion-related validity.
We investigated differences in the psychological signs of school maladaptation between the risk group (students identified by teachers as predisposed to school maladaptation） and the control group (students not identified as predisposed to school maladaptation).
The results indicated that the risk group had significantly higher psychological signs of school maladaptation than the control group did, thereby demonstrating the content validity of the scale.
Finally, the practical uses of the scale and future considerations of this study were discussed.
