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

The development of fears of compassion scale Japanese version.

Objectives Cultivation of compassion is a useful way to treat mental problems, but some individuals show resistance. Fears of compassion can be an obstacle for clinicians when providing psychotherapy, and for clients when engaging in interpersonal relationships. Despite its importance, a Japanese version of fears of compassion scales (for others, from others, and for self) has not yet been developed. This study developed a Japanese version of the Fears of Compassion Scales and tested its reliability and validity. Design This study used a cross-sectional design, and a self-report procedure for collecting data. Methods A total of 485 students (121 males and 364 females) answered self-report questionnaires, including the draft Fears of Compassion Scales—Japanese version. Results There were distinctive factor structures for fear of compassion from others, and for self. The fear of compassion from others scale consisted of concern about compassion from others and avoidance of compassion from others. All scales had good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, face validity, and construct validity. Discrimination and difficulty were also calculated. Conclusions These results indicate that the Fears of Compassion Scales—Japanese version is a well-constructed and useful measure to assess fears of compassion and the existence of cultural differences in fears of compassion.This study was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number15K17289 (https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/en/grant/KAKENHI-PROJECT-15K17289/)

The development of the Japanese version of the compassionate engagement and action scales

The last few years have seen increasing research on self-report measures of compassion. The Compassionate Engagement and Action Scale (CEAS) is rooted in an evolutionary approach to compassion, which focuses on the competencies of compassion those are engagement with distress or suffering, and taking action to alleviate and prevent it. This study sought to validate the CEAS in a Japanese population using a cross-sectional design. A total of 279 students (82 males, 191 females, 6 unknown) answered self-report questionnaires, including the Japanese version of CEAS. We found single-factor structures for compassion for others scales, compassion from others scales, and compassion for self scales. All scales were found to have acceptable internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content validity, and construct validity. Even though some limitations, these results indicate that the Japanese version of CEAS is an adequately constructed and useful measure to assess compassionate engagement and action toward others, from others, and for the self with Japanese population.Japan Society for the Promotion of Scienc

The functional role of resignation orientation on goal engagement, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and depression

Several studies in Europe and North America have highlighted the importance of resignation or giving up. Research has shown that resignation is as important as goal attainment. Hence, this study examines, using path analysis, the effect of resignation orientation on goal disengagement and reengagement. Furthermore, this study attempts to clarify the implication of resignation orientation for elements of mental well-being. Questionnaires were completed by 261 Japanese college students. Results showed that proactive resignation orientation promotes reestablishment of alternative goals while negative resignation orientation encourages disengagement of the unattainable goals. The findings help explain the functional role of resignation orientation and can inform the development of treatment for resignation-related depression