This study is to assess health behaviors and health risk awareness (i.e., knowledge) in university students of Japan (N=631) and England (N=707), using a standardized protocol suitable for translation and administration. A Japanese version of the inventory was basically adapted from The European Health and Behavior Survey (Wardle & Steptoe, 1991) which had evaluated diet-eating habits, positive health practices, preventive health care, driving behavior and substance use, and awareness about the influence of several behavioral risk factors including eating animal fat, smoking, stress, excessive alcohol, heredity and exercise and so on, on some major life style-related diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, lung cancer and breast cancer.
Differences between Japanese and English students, as well as sex differences, were observed in a number of health behaviors. Generally, females were healthier than males in both countries, with the exception of sleeping time. The important gaps in health risk awareness were identified in students of both countries, as well as sex differences. It seems to be complex associations of health behavior prevalence and health risk awareness.
These results confirmed prevalence findings on the associations among socio-cultural factors, health behaviors and health knowledge. This study suggests the importance of the planning of health education and primary prevention programs for positive health enhancement.

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This study examined diathesis-stress model of depression that used interpersonal intolerance of ambiguity as a cognitive vulnerability and interpersonal stress event as a stressor by gender. One hundred ninety college students (89 males, 101 females, aged 18--23) participated in the study. They were asked to complete Interpersonal Intolerance of Ambiguity Scale (IIAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and interpersonal stress event scale. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that only when diathesis variable was intolerance of ambiguity on close relation, diathesis-stress model was supported. And different interaction effect was obtained by gender. These results were suggested that interpersonal intolerance of ambiguity was partially applicable as a cognitive vulnerability of depression and were also showed gender difference.

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In Study 1, the media capacity literacy scale for junior high school students was developed and its reliability and validity was examined in boys (n=321) and girls (n=270) in grades seven through nine that participated in the study. Principal component analysis indicated that the media capacity literacy had a single factor structure consisting of eleven items, and that the scale had high reliability and validity. In Study 2, logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between the capacity of media and risk behaviors such as drinking, smoking, and violence in junior high school students. The results indicated that the capacity of media significantly influenced smoking behavior, although drinking and violent behaviors were not related to the capacity of media in adolescents. It is concluded that this study provided preliminary evidence of the relationship between the capacity of media and smoking behavior.

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Cognitive appraisal and situation-appropriate coping flexibility as explanations of job satisfaction of clerical workers in hypothetical stressful situations was investigated. The Tri-axial Coping scale (TAC-24) was administered twice to 275 workers who described themselves to be in a hypothetical stressful situation (first rating) and later assumed that that they had failed to cope with the situation (second rating). The discrepancy in the coping style between the two ratings was considered to indicate the pattern of coping flexibility for each participant. Workers also described themselves on two other scales: cognitive appraisal and job satisfaction scales. Findings indicated that job satisfaction was greater for workers who changed coping style flexibly when they appraised the failure in coping as less threatening. However, job satisfaction was even greater for workers who did not change the coping style when they appraised the failure as more controllable. Contrary to previous notions, the latter finding suggests that worker's perseverance in maintaining a fixed coping style may be situation-appropriate and increase their job satisfaction.

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This study had three purposes. The first purpose was to examine applicability of the sense of coping ability to college students. The second purpose was to develop Scale of Sense of Coping Ability for College Students (SSCA for College students) for measuring effects of intervention in the psychoeducational stress management program for college students. The third purpose was to examine reliability and validity of the developed scale. Study 1 reported structure of factor analysis of the scale and its reliability. The result showed that the scale was consisted of 3 factors: 1) More active life (6 items), 2) Difficulty of coping (3 items), 3) Positive awareness (3 items). The results ware almost consistent with the original scale and the scale also had acceptable level of internal consistency. Study 2 reported and the validity of this scale. In correlational analysis, the scale correlated negatively with Stress Responses Scale, and subscales of this scale correlated positively with some subscales of Tri-axial Coping Scale 24 which measure positive aspects of coping. Therefore, the applicability of this scale was confirmed.

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This case study investigated the utility of a cognitive therapy technique, reminiscence therapy, for the psychological support of a cancer patient. An elderly female patient with uterine cancer displayed self-opinionated and dichotomous thinking, and had trouble communicating with other patients. Furthermore, she had a decreased sense of self-control of her life related to the retirement and death of a spouse, as well as due to the side effects of treatment. As a result, she felt helpless and depressed. A clinical psychologist conducted cognitive therapy based on the reminiscence method. Results indicated that as a result the patient was able to recognize the limitations in her interpersonal relationships, as well her inconsiderate behavior to others. Her cognitive distortions such as self-oriented thinking and dichotomous thinking subsided and interpersonal communication problems were eventually resolved. Moreover, she was able to cope with the side effects of cancer therapy, confirm her sense of identity, and find hope for the future; which resulted in a greater sense of control over her life. These results indicate the usefulness of cognitive therapy based on the / reminiscence method for cancer patients.

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