The relationship between generalized self-efficacy and afternoon napping with or without self-awakening, defined as waking up at a designated time decided before sleep, was investigated in elderly people. It has been reported that a short nap with self-awakening can reduce afternoon sleepiness and sleep inertia. The feeling of self-control over afternoon sleepiness may contribute to maintaining self-efficacy in daily life. In the present study, a questionnaire survey was conducted with 447 elderly people aged over 65 (74.3±5.28). A one-way analysis of variance compared four groups of participants: regular napping, defined as taking a nap at the same time of the day, irregular napping, napping with self-awakening, and napping without self-awakening. The results suggest that regular napping was significantly related to higher self-efficacy, and moreover, that self-awakening also contributed to increasing self-efficacy. These results imply that the habit of regular napping with self-awakening would be a useful tool for promoting successful aging.

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A fundamental study of contemporary Japanese attitudes regarding life and death was conducted. Data from 216 adults responding to the Japanese version of DAP-R (Wong et al., 1994) were analyzed by of chronological, and biosocial factors such as Age, Sex, Health, and Purpose in Life. DAP-R consists of four sub-scales: Fear of Death, Death Avoidance, Escape Acceptance, and Approach Acceptance. Results indicated significant relationships between DAP-R subscale scores for attitudes regarding death and as a factor of the Age factor. Elderly adults (N=70) showed less Fear of Death and more Death Avoidance, Escape Acceptance, and Approach Acceptance than both middle-aged adults (N=70) and young adults (N=76). Interestingly, elderly adults had a contradictory attitude regarding death, i.e., a strong attitude of Death Avoidance and Escape Acceptance, while simultaneously showing an attitude of Approach Acceptance. It is expected that these results will contribute to the future development of thanatological research.

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The 8-item Interpersonal Hope Scale was developed based on Snyder's theoretical framework of hope, and the effects of hope and coping behavior on psychological distress in interpersonal stress situations was investigated. Study 1 demonstrated the acceptable internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the scale. Confirmatory factor analysis identified the agency and pathways components of the scale. Construct validation of the scale was obtained with regard to personality and mental health variables: trait hope, optimism, self-esteem, self-efficacy, hopelessness, subjective health, and happiness. In study 2, the Interpersonal Hope Scale, Interpersonal Stress-Coping Inventory (Kato, 2000), and measures of depression and anxiety were completed by 271 undergraduate students. The result of covariance structure analysis suggested that: (a) interpersonal hope influenced coping behavior and psychological distress; moreover, the tendency to be hopeful moderated psychological distress, and (b) coping behavior influenced psychological distress over and above the effects of interpersonal hope.

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Finger arterial elasticity and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity [baPWV]were measured in 51 healthy young participants (30 men and 21 women) and the correlation between these measures was examined. Finger arterial elasticity can be evaluated by using an exponential model of the pressure-volume relationship of three model parameters a, b, and n [V=a-b×exp (-nP) ]. These parameters were estimated for three ranges of transmural pressure: overall, under 40mmHg, and over 30mmHg, using a finger occlusion maneuver. On the overall and the over 30mmHg of transmural pressure, parameter n in women was larger than those in men. It is probable that differences in finger arterial size caused the larger parameter aobserved in men, compared to women. In men, the correlation of overall (-0.395), and over 30mmHg (-0.406) conditions between parameter n and baPWV were significant. It is concluded that the exponential model of pressure-volume relationship was demonstrated to be useful for the assessment of finger arterial stiffness. Moreover, the elasticity of the finger artery seemed to be greater in healthy young women than in men.

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The effects of horseback riding and contact with horses on mood change and heart rate was investigated. Healthy participants (n = 22) that had little experience of horseback riding engaged in half-hour of riding twice a day for two days. They completed two questionnaires designed to evaluate mood thirty minutes before the first ride and after the fourth ride. The participants also underwent a one-minute heart rate monitoring session five minutes before and after the first and fourth rides. The results revealed a decrease in state anxiety, fatigue and negative mood, as well as an increase in vigor. These results indicate that horseback riding resulted in an enhancement of mood. Moreover, an increase in heart rate was observed when trot riding. Furthermore, participant's heart rate and age index indicated that they engaged in a higher intensity of exercise after the fourth ride, in comparison to the first ride. These finding suggests that the increase in heart rate after riding can be attributed to the elevated physical load, and that both the effects of horseback riding and animal assisted activity with horses exerted a mood enhancement effect.

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The purpose of this study is to determine the similarities and differences between ikigai and concepts similar to ikigai. University students (n=601) responded to a questionnaire using 3 scales related to ikigai and 6 scales related to concepts similar to ikigai: subjective well-being, psychological well-being and quality of life (QOL). A11 177 items were subjected to principal component analysis and categorized into 14 principal components. Elements central to ikigai were life-affirmation, goals/dreams, meaning of life, meaning of existence, sense of fulfillment, and commitment. Minor ikigai elements were environmental mastery, positive relations, autonomy, negative affect, personal growth, positive affect, physical health, and life enjoyment. Ikigai and concepts similar to it were represented in a figure consisting of circles drawn using an index of commonality of each element in each of the 9 scales. Results suggested that subjective well-being, psychological well-being, and QOL are not central elements of ikigai; but rather, are elements that differ from ikigai.

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Effective psychotherapy and the rational for its use with people suffering from an acquired visual impairment were investigated by focusing on a case study of such a patient treated with structured group counseling and combined individual therapy. Mr. O, a 34 year-old man who acquired a visual impairment due to pigmentary retinal degeneration, participated in a 6-month Living Skill Training program. Group counseling was structured to enable participants to talk about the histories of their disabilities and the responses of others to their disabilities. In individual therapy that was based on the experience gained through group counseling, we tried to modify the patient's internal negative images related to the disability, and negative images regarding the self, as well as his rigid cognitive style; by using the method of thinking about merits and demerits. As O progressed with the treatment, he was able to clearly recognize his inner negative images regarding the disability, and as a result, he was able to modify these images. The prognosis of this case study suggests that cognitive modification of negative images regarding disabilities has a role in effective psychotherapy of people with acquired disabilities. The therapy described here also provided the patients, a place where they could talk about their experiences and thoughts regarding their disabilities. Combined group counseling and individual cognitive behavior therapy is recommended for psychologically unstable people, particularly for those in need of more energy to talk about their disabilities.

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