This study examined the effects of behavioral restrictions and the sudden introduction of online classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic on university students' mental health. Japanese university students (N=493) living in urban areas with difficulties attending school because of the pandemic participated in an online survey. The survey inquired about the conditions of online classes, changes in life caused by the pandemic, and the degree of depression in participants using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). The results indicated that over 40% of the participants exceeded K10's cut-off value for depression. We developed a model in which students' life differed depending on the online class type, which affected their mental health. A multi-group analysis using a gender-based population indicated that frequent face-to-face classes increased the motivation for studying, and the high motivation affected various mental health indicators. In addition, those who felt a decrease in communication opportunities had higher stress and anxiety about the future.

One of the adaptive aging models for Japanese elderly people is the "adaptive acceptance" model, which suggests that recognizing and accepting aging and the decline that accompanies it can lead to happy aging. This study explores the applicability of the "adaptive acceptance" model to Japanese elderly people with declining health condition.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted online for about one hour with Japanese elderly people with declining health condition and 13 people were included in analysis. Modified grounded theory approach (M-GTA) was used for the analysis, and 10 categories and 25 concepts were generated based on the analysis. Three patterns were found in the processes leading to the happy aging of the participants. One of these patterns is the process of happy aging through "adaptive acceptance", which is a core model that confirms the assumed function of adaptive acceptance. An expanded model was created based on this model by adding cases that do not necessarily lead to happiness and those that have different pathways to happiness.

This study was aimed at developing the Irrational Career Beliefs Inventory for university students. The participants who included 579 fourth grade university students who had experienced employment seeking activities completed the questionnaire. The following four factors emerged from factor analysis: unrealistic optimism, lack of confidence and self-underestimation, social evaluation prejudice, and persistence of ideal employment. Also, the inventory was shown to have reliability through internal consistency and confirmatory factor analysis, and validation through correlation with irrational beliefs, job search stress, and career decision-making self-efficacy as external criteria. These findings suggest that the inventory appears to have adequate psychometric reliability and validity. For further consideration, balance of participants, socio-economic factor of employment, test-retest reliability and predictive validity need to be examined.

This study aimed to investigate how differences in perspectives in consultations between teachers and school counselors could help improve professional expertise. Using modified grounded theory, this study analyzed the narratives of nine teachers that were collected through semi-structured interviews. The results revealed that the participants' perceived differences between school counselors' suggestions and their own practical knowledge diminished their self-confidence. However, they gradually revised their own perspectives with their colleagues' approval and consequently improved their expertise while still recognizing conflicts. The findings suggested that school counselors are expected to respect teachers' methods for supporting students and the school organization as a whole-including colleagues-and build relationships that enable teachers to talk about conflicts without hesitation.

The present study examined the actual use and intention to use face-to-face and remote psychological counseling. A total of 1500 participants were included. The survey was conducted in March 2021. Respondents were asked if they had ever used face-to-face and remote (video, telephone, chat, and e-mail) counseling. Intention to use face-to-face and video counseling was asked using a 5-point scale. The total number of users of counseling was 13.2 %. The use of face-to-face counseling (11.4%) was higher than remote counseling (5.4%). The intention to use face-to-face counseling was 23.7%, and 14.9% for video counseling.

This study examined how maximizing (looking for best outcomes) and satisficing (looking for something that crosses the threshold of acceptability) affect regret and satisfaction of choice. Ninety undergraduates were randomly assigned to either a maximizing or satisficing condition. They were given "tips of better choices" to manipulate their thought style. Presented with a scenario, they were asked to choose one of eight options. They rated regret and satisfaction of their choice. Results indicated that the participants in satisficing condition showed lower regret and higher satisfaction for their decision than those in maximizing condition. The discussion considers the possible applications.