Objective: To determine the relationship between the sense of ego-identity in adolescence and attachment styles, which is considered one of the factors associated with mental health.

Methods: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted targeting students aged 18 to 22 using the Multidimensional Ego Identity Scale (Multidimensional Ego Identity Scale ; MEIS) and the attachment style scale for general others (the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory-the-Generalized-Other-version ; ECR-GO). A total of 648 participants were analyzed (valid response rate: 87.9％).

Results: The analysis included 232 men and 416 women, with an average age of 18.96±0.96 years. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that all subscales and the total score of MEIS were associated with ECR-GO “abandonment anxiety” and “avoidance of intimacy”. “Abandonment anxiety” was most strongly related to “self-unity/continuity” (β＝－.521, p＜.001), “self-identity” (β＝－.355, p＜.001), “psychosocial identity” (β＝－.452, p＜.001), and ‘total MEIS score’ (β＝－.502, p＜.001). ‘Avoidance of intimacy’ was most strongly related to ‘other-identity’ (β＝－.376, p＜.001).

Considerations: It was shown that focusing on attachment styles, such as negative views of self and others, may be important to support the establishment of ego-identity.

Objective: To elucidate the practical knowledge that expert municipal public health nurses use in supporting difficult-to-respond-to child abuse cases.

Methods: Fourteen expert municipal public health nurses from municipalities near the Tokyo metropolitan area were recruited using snowball sampling. We asked the participants to provide a detailed, chronological explanation of how they assessed difficult cases and provided effective support, focusing on their practical knowledge. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the data were analyzed qualitatively using a descriptive qualitative analysis method.

Results: The analysis showed five categories of practical knowledge used by expert municipal public health nurses in support of difficult-to-respond-to child abuse cases: “Become a trustworthy presence for parents,” “Make parents view the perceived benefits of engaging with public health nurses,” “Understanding the father and identifying a breakthrough for resolution,” “Assessing the relationship with biological family members and engaging when foresight,” and “Enhancing teamwork among supporters”.

Discussion: Drawing on practical knowledge gained from supporting difficult-to-respond-to child abuse cases, expert municipal public health nurses, focusing on trust and perceived benefits, effectively building relationships with parents. Additionally, initiatives targeting fathers and biological parents, which were identified in this study, have suggested the potential to expand efforts to prevent child abuse. Expert municipal public health nurses play a key role in fostering collaborative relationships and enhancing the effectiveness of team-based support. Their practical knowledge focuses on trust with parents, families, and supporters while emphasizing involvement that is situationally responsive and empowers them to take initiative, rather than instructing or persuading them.

Objective: To elucidate the conflicts experienced by public health nurses (PHNs) at public health centers in response to COVID–19 during the early stages of the pandemic.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine PHNs from five public health centers. The participants shared specific experiences, such as “empathizing with the suffering of COVID–19 infected or suspected individuals.” The analysis was based on a grounded theory approach. The survey was conducted between October and November, 2020.

Results: The core phenomenon causing conflicts for PHNs during the early stages of the pandemic was “becoming aware of the suffering of COVID–19 patients indirectly or directly.” PHNs’ conflicts arose at various points during the process of “facing the anxiety and confusion” of infected or suspected individuals, leading to outcomes such as “hesitation to provide support, unresolved feelings, and regret” or “a sense of growth and learning from the experience.”

Conclusion: For PHNs, “becoming aware of the suffering of COVID–19 patients indirectly or directly.” tested their ethical sensitivity as nursing professionals. To better equip PHNs in managing ethical dilemmas during pandemics, ethical education and training should be provided during non-crisis periods, along with the development of systems to support PHNs in navigating ethical challenges.

Objective: This study aims to explore how fathers actively engaged in childcare perceive, reconcile, and adjust their lives while managing childcare.

Methods: Fathers participating in privately organized childcare support classes in Prefecture A were considered actively involved in parenting. Among them, seven fathers from dual-income households with their youngest child under the age of three were selected as participants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the Qualitative Synthesis Method (KJ Method).

Results: Fathers recognized the “essence of childcare: joy and gratitude for birth, a sense of growth, and enjoyment that surpasses challenges.” This perspective underpinned three mutually reinforcing approaches: (1) self-focused responses―transitioning from anxiety about household chores and childcare to prioritizing family life through cooperation with their wives; (2) Wife-focused responses―working toward cooperative parenting through mutual respect for feelings and values; and (3) child-focused responses―creating a home environment that fosters their child's happiness. Fathers also identified the need for (1) workplace reforms to strengthen systems supporting fathers in childcare and (2) community-based efforts to build environments that aid fathers in parenting.

Discussion: By recognizing the essence of childcare, fathers prioritized family over personal interests and envisioned a shared future together. This strengthened their sense of collaboration with their wives and heightened their awareness of creating a supportive home environment for their children’s future while advocating for improved childcare systems at work and in the community.

Objectives: This study examines the background factors related to the professional identity of municipal public health nurses working in small and medium municipalities.

Methods: A random sample of full-time public health nurses working in municipalities with populations of less than 100,000 were selected and questionnaire survey was conducted. Professional identity was clarified using Professional Identity Scale for Public Health Nurses (PISP). We conducted a survey on their basic attributes, professional experience, and the municipalities they serve. Multiple regression analysis was conducted using the background factors considered relevant to the PISP as independent variables and the scores on each subscale of the PISP as dependent variables.

Results: There were 152 valid responses. Cooperating and collaborating with other public health nurses was significantly associated with total PISP scores and all five subscales. In addition, being recognized by residents as a public health nurse outside of work and the presence of administrative public health nurse role models had a significant impact on the professional identity.

Discussion: To promote their professional identity, it is necessary to create an environment through support for human resource development and networking among public health nurses. Furthermore, in small and medium municipalities, where nurses often live in the communities they serve, being recognized by residents as a public health nurse and leveraging personal life experiences in public health nursing practices significantly enhances the development of their professional identity.

Objective: To conduct salt reduction coaching centered on self-care skills for workers with elevated blood pressure and to explore how worker awareness of salt reduction, daily habits, and self-care skills evolve post-coaching, while evaluating the impact of enhanced awareness, reduced salt consumption, and lifestyle improvements.

Methods: The study involved 35 workers who were identified during routine health screenings with systolic blood pressure ≧130mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≧80mmHg, regardless of whether they were on blood pressure medication. A self-care ability questionnaire (Self-Care Agency Questionnaire ; SCAQ) was used to assess participants’ capabilities. Tailored salt reduction coaching was delivered, focusing on these abilities. Surveys were conducted before and three months after coaching to compare self-care skills, dietary awareness, lifestyle patterns, and salt consumption. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests, with a significance level set at 5％ (two-tailed).

Results: All 35 participants were included in the analysis. Notable improvements were observed in dietary awareness (p＜0.001), salt consumption (p＜0.001), and self-care skills (p＜0.001). Lifestyle patterns showed no significant change (p＝0.441).

Discussion: The progress in self-care skills, dietary awareness, and salt consumption likely stem from the use of self-care and salt-tracking tools, which prompted participants to reflect on their daily routines and recognize practical steps for change through clear visualization. The findings highlight the value of sustained support for lasting impact.