In weak ties theory, ties refer to bilateral relationships that bind individuals to each other. Acquaintances, colleagues, and former classmates are classified as having weak ties. In recent years, psychological research has increasingly focused on weak ties in relation to well-being. This study examined the impact of weak ties on well-being. A total of 385 university students responded to the questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis showed that weak ties are positively associated with subjective well-being and life satisfaction and hope. Finally, we conducted a psychological examination of the weak ties theory, and discussed the importance of social interaction with weak ties.

In aging society, we are forced to think about the meaning of life with an awareness of mortality. Investigating the impact of death on the meaning of life is important for understanding the future state of Japanese society. Therefore, in this study, we conducted a quantitative investigation of the impact of ontological threat on the Meaning in Life Questionnaire with terror management theory. In addition, we conducted a methodological examination of a series of problems pointed out in recent psychology, such as reproducibility and generalizability. The results of GLMM analysis of the responses of 301 participants revealed that the experimental group that recalled ontological threat through mortality salience manipulation scored higher on MLQ-Presence than did the control group. MLQ-Presence was strongly positively correlated with well-being, suggesting that it is possible to address ontological threat in a way that contributes to well-being. On the other hand, no between-group differences were identified for MLO-Search. It was suggested that instead of searching for new meaning, Japanese adults cope with ontological threat by finding meaning in their present life.

It was conducted an exploratory study of the impact of Role-Play dealing with a mentally ill patient on the emotional-work of nursing students. It was analyzed the emotional-work scale and open-ended questionnaire that the nursing students were asked to answer pre-post the Role-Play. The result showed that the component of the emotional-work, "negative emotional expression toward the patient," decreased significantly pre-post the Role-Play. In addition, in the open-ended questionnaire where categories were generated, "negative feelings toward the patient" decreased and "positive feelings toward the patient" increased pre-post the Role-Play. These results suggest that Role-Play helps the participants acquire the patient's perspective and empathic acceptance of the patient through the experience of the patient's role. In addition, the interpretation of the case as an uncomfortable interaction with the patient suggests that the empathic acceptance of the patient gained through the Role-Play was expressed by a decrease in the negative emotions expressed by the patient. Furthermore, the Role-Play facilitated reflection on their own emotional-work so that the expression of negative emotions toward the patient was reduced.

This study aimed to develop a cognitive flexibility questionnaire (CFQ) based on the executive functioning theory. Functional neuroimaging and clinical neuropsychological studies have provided information regarding executive function. One theory suggests that cognitive flexibility consists of conceptual transfer, feedback utilization, attention, and working memory. This study involved conducting an online survey of 557 adults using a self-report questionnaire. Based on the results of confirmatory factor analysis and factor inter-correlations, a CFQ with a three-factor structure of conceptual transfer, feedback utilization, and attentional control was developed. Test-retest reliability was conducted for 100 adults, and the results showed good reliability. The results showed a moderate positive correlation among the CFQ, creativity, and openness. These results support the validity of the scale.

This study focused on a work of autobiographical reasoning, and it examined that autobiographical reasoning which positive and negative events were integrated in life stories, related with the achievement of identity and life satisfaction, psychological well-being of students. Participants were 228 students. They remembered the most important memory in their lives and they participated a questionnaire survey. They were divided into 2 groups which they remembered a positive event or a negative event. A positive event group was 115 students, and a negative event group was 79 students. The result of analysis showed that a relationship of autobiographical reasoning and identity and well-being. A work of autobiographical reasoning of positive events constructed a life story and affected the achievement of identity and well-being. It affected "Purpose in Life" of psychological well-being directly. A work of autobiographical reasoning of negative events just constructed a life story, and affected the achievement of identity and well-being. However, it didn't affect "Purpose in Life".

Young adult carers face difficulties peculiar to developmental stage, whereas the actual situation of carers at universities is unclear. This study aimed to clarify the campus life and mental health of carers at universities. Health survey data including care experiences and student counseling data were analyzed for 7,174 students. Consequently, 2.76% of subjects were carers in a variety of situations. There was unbalanced frequency distribution between the care experience and multifaceted difficulties in student life. Mental health showed a small relation with the difficulties in student life because of care (V=.2027). There was also unbalanced frequency distribution between care experiences and student counseling use, but some difficult students did not use counseling. Free description showed that change of care situation because of leaving parents' home, limited care role when going and seeing their family, difficulty in attendance and future, and mental burden. Multidimensional assessment and flexible and long-term support contents based on it by various support subjects are essential.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychological and physical traits in 7 female university kendo players using measures of reaction times in response to light and sound stimuli. The experiment was conducted with 7 participants who competed in the 40th All-Japan Female Students KENDO Championship. The stimuli were light (red) and sound (1,000 Hz pure tone). Reactions were measured as simple reaction times, including the time for the partial-body reaction (a key press) and whole-body reaction (a forward step).