2015 Volume 26 Issue 1 Pages 23-34
Research findings regarding the function of resignation (akirameru in Japanese) are inconsistent. This study clarified the role of being resigned in the mental health of adolescents by focusing on not only resignation behavior, but also on resignation as a process. Semi-structured interviews about past experiences of resignation were conducted with 15 participants (8 male, 7 female; age range＝22–30 years). Twenty-nine episodes were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach (M-GTA), resulting in 24 concepts. Preliminary analysis revealed the concept of “weakened desire” and suggested that weakened desire was related to the role of resignation in mental health. On the basis of this concept, the process of resignation was divided into three types: “regretful,” “indecisive,” and “bold,” and the results clarified the details of each of these types. The data suggest that being “regretful” negatively impacts mental health. In contrast, being “indecisive” (lukewarm and irresolute) and “bold” (decisive) can apparently be conducive to mental health. The limitations of this study and the need for further research are discussed.
