Development of the Yobiko Students Irrational Belief Scale and Examination of its Reliability and Validity: For Better Psychoeducational Services for Students Preparing for University Entrance Exams

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to assess irrational beliefs of Yobiko students (Yobiko Students Irrational Belief Scale: YIBS) and to examine its reliability and validity. YIBS items were developed from a questionnaire administered to 484 Yobiko students. Factor analysis extracted four factors (a) Demanding Support,(b) Concentration on Study,(c) Sense of Duty, and (d) Evaluation of Failure in University Entrance Exams. These factors had a high degree of internal consistency. Factors of YIBS correlated with the factors of JIBT-20, MCPI, as well as with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, ranging from .31 to .37. These results yielded support for YIBS scale’s reliability and validity for assessing irrational beliefs of Yobiko students.