Physiological and psychological effects of illumination with different colored lights on humans were investigated in order to improve lighting conditions in medical treatment environments. Women (n=12) participated in an experiment in which they were exposed to illumination using 900 lx and 200 lx white fluorescent lamps, and a 200 lx lamp covered with a green cellophane transparent film. Physiological variables such as heart rate, HF values, LF/HF ratio, and Chromogranin A in saliva, as well as psychological variables such as subjective feelings of relaxation were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale test and the short version of the Japanese Profile of Mood. Participants subjected to stress conditions created by using the Uchida–Kraepelin test under white fluorescent lighting and then tested after 15 min of rest following stress in all three lighting conditions. Results indicated that there was a suppression of sympathetic activity, an increase in parasympathetic activity, as well as an improvement in physiological responses when using the 200 lx green light. There was also an improvement in psychological reactions and the feeling of relaxation, as well as a reduction in anxiety-tension, fatigue and confusion.

抄録全体を表示

It is known that negative cognitions are more likely to intensify in depressed moods. Moreover, research on depression has indicated that strong negative thinking in dysphoria is associated with the vulnerability to depression. More recent studies have also suggested that experiencing feelings or thoughts, while not identifying with them can contribute to the reduction and the treatment of depression. One such experience is metacognitive awareness (MCA), however there have been little research about its function. Therefore, the effect of MCA on reactivity of negative thinking was investigated. Results indicated that participants with a lower MCA intensified negative thoughts when they become depressed, whereas those with a higher MCA did not when becoming depressed. In other words, individuals with high MCA had less reactivity of negative thinking. It is suggested that improving MCA can decrease the reactivity of negative thinking, which, in turn could produce a prophylactic effect on depression.

抄録全体を表示

Effects of using ‘Proving myself’ and ‘Revenge’ as coping methods against anger arousal were investigated by focusing on their effects on reducing anger and restoring self-esteem. Participants were university students (n=294). They were asked to imagine an anger arousing situation and a coping situation, and to respond to a scale with items assessing the state of anger and self-esteem. They responded to the scale three times, before and after the anger arousal situation and after the coping situation. Results of an ANOVA indicated that ‘Proving myself’ as a coping method reduced anger and restored self-esteem, whereas ‘Revenge’ as a coping method only reduced anger. These results suggest that ‘Proving myself,’ in comparison to ‘Revenge’ is a superior coping strategy for reducing anger.

抄録全体を表示

Metacognitive awareness, which is related to vulnerability for recurrent depression, is defined as a cognitive set in which negative thoughts or feelings are experienced thorough decentering (Teasdale et al., 2002). In a previous study, the Metacognitive Awareness Scale (MCAS), a self-report scale to measure metacognitive awareness had been developed using a sample of undergraduate students (Murayama & Okayasu, 2010). The purpose of the current study was to expand the previous study and reexamine components of MCAS, including the internal consistency and validity of the scale in a sample of adults. Factor analysis has demonstrated that the MCAS was composed of two subscales. Moreover, the MCAS showed high internal consistency and concurrent validity, as well as discriminant validity between depressed and control participants. The applications of MCAS are discussed.

抄録全体を表示

A number interventions designed to increase physical activity have used messaging. Guidelines for motivating individuals to adhere to a routine of regular physical activity can be translated into a persuasive message. Previous studies have suggested that messages should be prepared with regard to their acceptability and usability. Therefore, tailoring, targeting, and framing of messaging were investigated with regard to these two variables. Thematic analyses indicated six themes of acceptability: constitution of verbal messages, framing, verbal message information, visual message information, desirable delivery channel, and desirable place. Additionally, four themes of usability were identified: information benefiting physical activity, information about how to exercise, information related to physical activity, and tailored information for physical activity. These results are expected to contribute to interventions aimed at increasing physical activity of individuals, which in turn is expected to result in improvements to public health.

抄録全体を表示

Formative research is often necessary for program planning. Such research can give answers to questions such as the following. (a) What should be the program goals? (b) What is the most appropriate communication for interventions? (c) How can effective and relevant communications be develop for proposed target populations? Previous studies have often neglected formative research in program development. A program to promote physical activity was developed by using quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the state of physical activity in residents of a community, by conducting formative research. Participants in the study (N=339, aged 59–64 years) completed a questionnaire designed to measure psychological, behavioral, and social states related to their physical activities. In the qualitative study, inactive community residents (N=17) were investigated using a focus group interview to identify anxieties related to their future health, perceived barriers against physical activities, the need for information related to physical activities, and procedures involved in the implementation of environmental policy. Findings provided an agenda for improving public health. It is suggested that additional formative research is necessary to improve the data used for the development of public health.

抄録全体を表示

The role of self-efficacy (SE) as a moderator and a mediator of the relationship between exercise behavior and health-related quality of life among older adults were investigated. Participants aged 60 years and older (n=82 : 27 men and 55 women) responded to a survey that inquired about demographic variables, exercise SE, average amount of exercise, and health-related quality of life. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis indicated a moderating effect of exercise SE on mental health. This effect was more evident when the amount of exercise was low. Moreover, a mediating effect of exercise SE on both physical and mental health was observed. These results suggest that in the future exercise intervention studies targeting older adults should be conducted to clarify the multiple roles of SE.

抄録全体を表示

Some studies have suggested that depressive ruminations are stable over time, whereas other studies have indicated that ruminations have state-like characteristic, with no consistent stability of ruminations. Moreover, there is little research on the interactive relationship between ruminations and stressors, even though past studies have implied the possibility of such a relationship. We conducted a three-wave, longitudinal study to investigate the stability of ruminations and the interactive relationship between ruminations and stressors. Participants were female college students (N=53, Mean age 18.98±1.15 years). Results indicated absolute and relative stability between the interval T1 and T2, but only relative stability in the interval between T2 and T3 and the interval between T1 and T3 interval. Moreover, the results of path analysis suggested an interactive relationship between ruminations and stressors.

抄録全体を表示