This study examines the reliability and validity of a scale intended to evaluate the difficulties experienced by therapists in providing support to children with disabilities. Furthermore, it determines the relationships between the scale and the attributes of respondents. The participants in this study comprised 324 staff members working in 100 organizations affiliated with the National Council for Child Development Support in Japan. Factor analysis of the scale to assess the difficulties experienced by therapists in providing support to children with disabilities revealed five factors: “engagement with children,” “engagement with other staff members,” “desk work and working environment,” “information sharing with external organizations,” and “engagement with caregivers.” It was also confirmed that the examined scale was highly internally consistent and exhibited a certain level of concurrent validity. Further, the relationships established between the scale and respondent attributes evidenced “desk work and working environment” and years of experience in therapy and “information sharing with external organizations” and job position as significantly differentiating factors.

【Research Impact】

The development of this scale allows the accomplishment of the following actions. First, it enables the quantitative measurement of the difficulty faced by therapists in delivering support to children with disabilities. Second, it elucidates the types of difficulties therapists currently experience and utilizes this information to assist therapists and enhance their environments. Third, the scale can facilitate diverse quantitative studies targeting therapists to investigate the relationships between the difficulties they experience and their mental health conditions.

This study attempted to represent psychological development curves using polynomial equations. We utilized standardized data from the 2020 edition of the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development to specify these equations. Using the least squares method, we calculated equations from the first to the sixth degrees. The results indicated no difference in the fit of the psychological development curve at the third degree and beyond in terms of coefficients of agreement. Further, specifying the psychological development curve as a third-degree equation was found to be favorable. Additionally, the study inferred that individuals' rate of development varies from birth to adulthood; however, the speed of development gradually decreases with increasing age.

【Research Impact】

The Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development is a standardized scale widely used in Japan. This study investigated the representation of the psychological development curve using polynomial equations based on standardized data from the 2020 edition of the scale. Notably, this scale exhibited social significance because it can serve as an index of psychological development.

This study examined the efficacy of a psycho-educational program aimed at improving sixth-grade students' ability to send and receive SOS signals as part of suicide prevention education. We compared the outcomes of a practice group (N＝54) and a waiting-list control group (N＝64). The program was implemented over two sessions on a class-by-class basis. Self-rated scales were used to assess changes in students' help-seeking preferences toward friends and teachers, help-seeking skills, support skills for friends, and depressive symptoms, which are significant risk factors for suicide. Compared with the control group, girls in the practice group exhibited substantially improved help-seeking skills and reduced depressive symptoms after program implementation. A follow-up survey conducted 2 months later reaffirmed these improvements. Furthermore, correlation analyses from the pre-implementation to follow-up stages revealed a significant negative association between changes in help-seeking skills and depressive symptoms among both boys and girls in the practice group. The study concludes by discussing its limitations, challenges faced, and directions for future research in suicide prevention education for elementary students.

【Research Impact】

This study assessed the efficacy of a psycho-educational program focused on sending and receiving SOS signals among sixth-grade students. Comparisons with a waiting-list control group and follow-up data showed that the program significantly bolstered help-seeking skills and reduced depressive symptoms, which are key risk factors for suicide, among girls; however, results for boys remained inconclusive. These findings can help improve suicide prevention educational practices.

This study examines the relationship between depression in mothers and their reluctance to seek help. We developed to measure mothers' reluctant thoughts to seek help from partners, their own mothers, friends, and nursery or kindergarten teachers and evaluated their reliability and validity. A total of 315 mothers rearing 3–6 year old children participated in the study and completed the questionnaires. The results of exploratory factor analysis demonstrated that the scales exhibited a single-factor structure with sufficient internal consistency (Cronbach's α＝0.82–0.83). Regarding the construct validity of the scales, we verified nearly all our hypotheses concerning the positive relationship between depression and help-seeking among mothers and the negative relationship between percieved social support and help-seeking. Moreover, parents with highly depressive symptoms reported high levels of recognized child-rearing problems, low levels of perceived social support, and high levels of reluctant thoughts to seek help for child-rearing problems. Further, the negative relationship between depression and help-seeking was similar to previous studies in other contexts.

【Research Impact】

The problems related to child rearing are endless. However, examining the cognition of parents who are unable to seek help from others will contribute to better child-rearing support services. This study revealed the structures of the reluctance of parents to seek help. Moreover, parents with highly depressive symptoms exhibit high levels of reluctant thoughts to seek help for child-rearing problems. This study infers that parents with highly depressive symptoms may experience multiple difficulties, depression, child-rearing problems, and inability to seek help.