Findings regarding parent-child role reversal are based on studies (such as case studies) that tend to include subjective interpretations. The purpose of the current study was to examine the demonstrability of accumulated findings regarding that role reversal. This study considered four components of role reversal: (1) over-expectation of parents for their child, (2) distorted amae [acceptance of inappropriate behavior or an indulgent request] by parents, (3) parents not providing support to their child, and (4) the child providing emotional support to his or her parents. This study focused on the effect that role reversal has on pseudo-maturity. Pseudo-maturity is when a person tries to act more mature than he or she actually is. Someone who is pseudomature tends to emotionally depend on others and have difficulty forming close, healthy interpersonal relationships. In this study, over-adaptation, emotional dependence, intimacy avoidance, and the lack of trust were considered to be indices of pseudo-maturity. Responses from 642 university students served as data. The Parent-Child Relationship Role Reversal Inventory (P-CRRRI) was devised to measure varied aspects of role reversal. Multiple regression analysis, cluster analysis, and ANOVA were used to examine the relationship between role reversal and pseudo-maturity. Multiple regression analysis indicated that role reversal was related to over-adaptation, intimacy avoidance, and the lack of trust. ANOVA indicated that children who reversed roles with their parents tended to avoid intimacy and have less trust in others than children who did not reverse roles. That said, the desire for emotional dependence was not affected by role reversal. On the whole, children tended to be more pseudo-mature (except in terms of emotional dependency) as a result of role reversal. In addition, pseudo-maturity was caused by three components of role reversal: over-expectation of parents for their child, parents not providing support to their child, and the child providing emotional support to his or her.

　　This research concerns the siblings of individuals with severe disabilities. This research described the sibling's relationship with his or her mother (denoted here as the mother-child relationship) and the sibling's relationship with the family member with disabilities (denoted here as the sibling relationship), and this research sought to study the features of these two relationships. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 siblings of individuals with disabilities. Interviewees described their mother-child relationship and their sibling relationship from early childhood to the present. Based on these accounts, five types of mother-child relationships were identified― “actively involved,” “good,” “improving,” “uninvolved/withdrawing,” and “entangled.” Similarly, three types of sibling relationships were identified―” good,” “improving,” and “uninvolved/withdrawing.” The two relationships were categorized as positive, negative but improving, or negative. Even if a sibling had a positive mother-child relationship and a positive sibling relationship, triangulation can occur and the standard sibling order can be reversed. In families of an individual with disabilities, these problems remain as the family system functions. Facilitating de-triangulation is essential so that a sibling can form stable relationships with his or her mother and a family member with disabilities.

　　The purpose of this study was to explore how young adults change their image of their parents and the reasons for these changes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 young adults (10 males, 9 females; mean age = 24.3 years). The data were qualitatively analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Results identified three stages in which young adults changed their image of their parents.

　　First, young adults put themselves in the shoes of their parents. This is done when young adults compare their parents to other adults. Young adults also observe marital interaction by their parents, such as fathers telling them about their mothers (or vice versa). Young adults also learn about their parents' past and understand their parents more than before.

　　Second, young adults alter their image of their parents. They appreciate the fact that their parents have given them advice regarding later life and a basic sense of security. Young adults also come to see their parents as human beings and understand that their parents also have faults.

　　Finally, young adults more fully accept their parents than before. They come to accept their parents as their parents are, they feel like they are growing and developing with their parents, and they come to see their parents' lives as a model of how to live.

　　Although middle age is known to be a stage of crisis and change from the standpoint of the family life cycle, previous studies have pointed out the lack of empirical studies of middle-aged couples. In addition, biased sampling is a major problem in studies of couples. Data on 358 middle-aged males and 459 middle-aged females from the JGSS-2006 (a large-sample social survey) was used to examine the relationship between marital satisfaction and emotional support, the division of household labor, health, working hours, and whether or not children still resided with their parents. These data were analyzed via a simultaneous analysis of several groups. Results revealed a cross-over effect whereby emotional support from one's spouse increased an individual’s marital satisfaction. Gender differences were evident in the effect that providing emotional support and a child still residing at home had on marital satisfaction. Moreover, males tended to rate giving and receiving emotional support higher than females. Results also revealed that the division of household labor did not affect marital satisfaction. These findings suggest that emotional support may mutually benefit husbands and wives in middle-aged couples, and this support may play an important role in enhancing marital satisfaction. Topics for future research include conducting additional studies of emotional support that incorporate heightened expectations and conducting studies using couple data and longitudinal studies.