The relationship between the friendship function and the loneliness among university students

The purpose of this study was to reexamine the friendship function structure of university students with respect to the closest same-sex friend, and investigate the relations between the friendship function and the loneliness. Loneliness Scale by Ochiai (LSO) was used for the loneliness measurement. As a result, factor analysis revealed six factors in the friendship function scale. Also, a path analyse indicated that there were sex differences in the friendship function related to the closest same-sex friend (who exerts an influence with respect to 'feelings of loneliness leading to increased isolation'). Furthermore, there was no relation between the friendship function and 'feelings of loneliness inducing a sense of individuality'. These results suggested that the friendship function of university students with respect to the closest same-sex friend have the different influence on the subscales of the loneliness

University Students' Motivation for Being a Peer Supporter <Original Articles>

援助のための訓練を受けた学生(peer supporter: PS)が,問題に直面した仲間を支援する活動をピア・サポート活動(peer support activity: PSA)という。研究1では,PS の参加及び継続動機,活動意欲を高める経験を明らかにするため,11大学12団体のPS204名に質問紙調査を実施した。その結果,活動を通した学びや出会いを期待して参加し,継続するPS が多いことが明らかとなった。また,各団体の主な活動が充実することやPS 同士がサポートし合えることがPS の活動意欲を高める可能性が示された。研究2では,PS の維持にともなう苦労や工夫を明らかにするため,7大学の教職員9名と学生代表者1名に半構造化面接を実施した。その結果,運営側は苦労を感じている部分に対して多くの工夫を行う傾向が示された。また,PS の維持のためには活動自体の存続のための取組みも重要であることが示唆された。Peer support activity (PSA) is the act of helping friends in need by student peer supporters (PSs) trained for providing assistance. In Study 1, a survey was performed on 204 PSs in 12 organizations in 11 universities to investigate their motivation for joining and continuing to be a PS, and their experience that elevates their drive to pursue these types of activities. Results indicated that many PSs joined PSA to meet friends and learn from their experience and are continuing to be a PS for the same reason. Furthermore, fulfilling main activity of the organization and having an environment with mutual support for PSs possibly elevated their drive to pursue these activities. In Study 2, a semi-structured interview of nine faculty members and one student representative in seven universities was conducted to investigate their difficulties and endeavors in maintaining PS. As a result, the organizing body tended to take more measures to improve the aspects that posed more problems. Further, it was suggested that taking measures for maintaining the organization was also critical for continued PS work