Construction of a New Strengths Identification Scale

The aim of this study was to develop original strengths categories that correspond to Japanese culture, and to construct a strengths identification scale to assess individual strengths. Sixty strength categories were created and a strengths identification scale was constructed. Data were collected from 427 participants. The characteristics of each strength category were identified along five dimensions: direction, duration, range, processing, and action. The distribution of the strength categories by mean ranks is also given. Factor analyses were conducted, and four strength category groups established. From these analyses, reliable and valid strength categories and a strengths identification scale were developed, which will be able to serve as a fundamental framework and support for future research and practice in Japan

Strengthspotting and Interpersonal Relationships: Development of the Japanese Version of the Strengthspotting Scale

This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of thestrengthspotting scale and examine the relationship betweenstrengthspotting and relationships with others, as well as factorsthat related to an interpersonal relationship. A Japanese versionof strengthspotting scale was developed and administered withsix other scales of interpersonal factors to 264 college students.The results indicate that the Japanese version of strengthspottingscale has sufficient reliability and validity. Furthermore, theresults revealed a relationship between each of the five domainsof strengthspotting and interpersonal factors: communicationskills, affiliation motives, shyness, optimism and pessimism, andpositive relationships with others. The study provides a basis forconducting further empirical research and practice onstrengthspotting in Japan

Augmentation of Positive Valence System–Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Inaudible High-Frequency Sounds for Anhedonia : A Trial Protocol for a Pilot Study

Importance Recent conceptualizations in Research Domain Criteria have indicated that anhedonia, 1 of 2 core symptoms of depression, which can be treatment resistant, is associated with deficits in the positive valence system, and inaudible high-frequency sound therapy has been shown to enhance reward-related brain circuitry. Hence, cognitive behavioral therapy focusing on the positive valence system enhanced with sound therapy could have a synergistic effect on anhedonia.Objective To test the augmentation effect of inaudible high-frequency sounds on the efficacy of positive valence system–focused cognitive behavioral therapy to treat anhedonia.Design, Setting, and Participants In this individual-level allocation, exploratory, single-center randomized superiority pilot trial, patients, therapists, and evaluators will be masked to intervention or placebo assignment. The trial will take place at a national psychiatric referral hospital in Tokyo, Japan, among 44 adult patients with clinically significant anhedonia and moderate to severe depression. Outcomes will be analyzed following the intent-to-treat principle using a repeated-measures mixed model.Intervention The intervention group will participate in 8 weekly sessions of positive valence system–focused cognitive behavioral therapy with in-session exposure to an inaudible high-frequency sound; the comparison group will undergo cognitive behavioral therapy with in-session exposure to a placebo sound.Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome is anhedonia assessed using the self-reported Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale. The secondary outcome is anhedonia assessed using the clinician-administered version of the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale.Discussion Recruitment for this study began in May 2018, and the projected date of final allocation is January 2020. A total of 21 eligible patients were registered for participation as of May 30, 2019. To date, treatments for depression do not guarantee clinically successful outcomes. This pilot trial will provide preliminary evidence of the augmentation effect of high-frequency inaudible sounds on cognitive behavioral therapy for anhedonia. Overall, exposure to an inaudible high-frequency sounds does not require attentional or cognitive effort from either patients or therapists; therefore, results from a future confirmative trial could indicate that cognitive behavioral therapy can be augmented in an effortless manner