This study investigated the impact of experiencing breast cancer on psychological well-being by comparing breast cancer survivors with women who had no history of cancer. The study also tested the hypothesis that psychological well-being predicts psychological adjustment to cancer. The analyses considered both age and years since diagnosis. A web-based survey was conducted with breast cancer survivors (n=214) and women without a history of cancer (n=300). An analysis of covariance, controlling for age, revealed that experiencing breast cancer does not necessarily hinder psychological well-being or its development, and that a sense of personal growth may be cultivated in the long term. Furthermore, hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth positively predicted psychological adjustment to cancer. These findings suggest that interventions to enhance these factors may effectively support psychological adjustment. This is particularly significant for younger survivors, highlighting the importance of age-appropriate psychological support.

Illness uncertainty is a common and persistent psychological concern among breast cancer survivors. While it can contribute to negative and positive outcomes, the conditions under which these effects occur remain unclear. This study investigated the relationships among illness uncertainty, body image, and posttraumatic growth (PTG) and examined whether social support moderates these associations. A sample of breast cancer survivors (N=367) completed an online survey. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated significant interaction effects between illness uncertainty and social support on body image and PTG. Simple slope analyses indicated that illness uncertainty was negatively associated with body image when social support was low, but this association was nonsignificant when social support was high. Furthermore, illness uncertainty and PTG were positively associated only under high social support. These findings emphasize the critical role of social support in buffering the adverse effects of illness uncertainty and in facilitating positive psychological transformation among breast cancer survivors.

This study examined the relationship between individual personality traits and preferences for positive activities, drawing on trait theory and typology perspectives. An online survey was conducted by a Japanese market research company, with Japanese participants (N=934, 508 men, 426 women) ranging in age from 15 to 91 years. Participants completed the Japanese version of the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI-J) and the Person-Activity Fit Diagnostic. Multiple regression analysis revealed that agreeableness was the strongest predictor of preferences for all positive activities. In addition, a cluster analysis identified four prototypes of Big Five personality traits: Not Identifiables, Undercontrollers, Resilients, and Overcontrollers. An analysis of variance demonstrated that Resilients exhibited the highest preferences for positive activities. These findings indicate that agreeableness plays a significant and consistent role in preferences for positive activities, as supported by both trait theory and typology perspectives.

This study used item response theory to develop and validate short versions of the Strengths Knowledge Scale for Children (SSKS-C) and the Strengths Use Scale for Children (SSUS-C). Participants were 874 fifth- and sixth-grade students across six elementary schools in two studies (N₁=392, N₂=482). Based on item discrimination, difficulty, and test information, we constructed two-item, single-factor versions of the SSKS-C and SSUS-C. Both scales demonstrated high internal consistency and test-retest reliability. We also examined construct validity using multiple psychological measures. The SSKS-C and SSUS-C showed positive correlations with life satisfaction and classroom adjustment and negative correlations with depression and stress. These findings support the reliability and validity of the SSKS-C and SSUS-C for assessing strengths knowledge and strengths use in children.

This cross-sectional study used a web-based monitoring survey and examined how emotions and beliefs influence behavioral intentions toward binge drinking among employed women aged 20–30 years. The study also investigated how these intentions vary according to the context of drinking. Participants (n=474) engaged in binge drinking at least once a month and scored between 8 and 14 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Results indicated that behavioral intentions were influenced by the belief that binge drinking leads to enjoyment, the perception of social approval, the belief that it causes fatigue or negative mood, and awareness of exceeding recommended alcohol intake. Additionally, intentions were influenced by contextual factors such that binge drinking with family was associated with beliefs about its negative impact on work or daily life. In contrast, binge drinking with friends was linked to injury and accident risk awareness. These findings highlight the role of emotional and cognitive factors and situational contexts in shaping binge drinking intentions in this population.

Research on meaning in life has advanced through conceptualizing multidimensional meaning, culminating in proposing a three-dimensional model encompassing purpose, coherence, and significance. This study aimed to develop the Japanese version of the Three Dimensional Meaning in Life Scale (J-3DM), initially developed by Martela and Steger (2023). The original scale was translated into Japanese by Japanese researchers, followed by back-translation to ensure equivalence with the original version, in consultation with the original authors. An online survey was conducted with Japanese workers (N=650, Age 20 to 69 years) to examine the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the 3DM. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the Japanese version maintained the original three-factor structure and demonstrated sound psychometric properties. Furthermore, correlation and multiple regression analyses assessing relationships with existing measures of meaning in life and related constructs confirmed the scale’s reliability and validity. The Japanese version of the 3DM is expected to be a valuable tool for future research on meaning in life within Japanese populations.

This study examined the association between relative age and psychosocial adjustment in Japanese children aged 3–15 years, as well as the moderating effects of grade level on this association. We conducted a secondary analysis of survey data from 853 Japanese children. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed significant negative associations between relative age and internalizing and externalizing problems; specifically, relatively older children exhibited lower levels of internalizing and externalizing problems. Notably, the moderating effects of grade level, including quadratic and cubic interaction terms, and school enrollment status were not statistically significant in relation to internalizing and externalizing problems. These findings suggest that the effects of relative age on psychosocial adjustment may persist among Japanese children through 15 years of age.

This study examined the effects of a web-based intervention program designed to strengthen the career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) of female university students. Thirty-six first- and second-year female students enrolled in a four-year university were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a waiting list (WL) control group. Two students in the WL group withdrew, resulting in a final sample of 34 participants who completed the 4-week program. The results revealed a significant interaction effect for CDMSE following the intervention, with participants in the intervention group reporting significantly higher CDMSE than those in the WL group. Self-rated career selection ability showed a similar interaction effect, mirroring the pattern observed for CDMSE. These preliminary findings support the potential effectiveness of the intervention program.