Japanese High School Students Research Articles

Developmental trajectories of creativity during early adolescence in a Japanese sample: Links to perceived parental autonomy support and psychological control

This study aimed to determine the developmental trajectories of creativity during early adolescence and identify parental factors that predict the differences between these developmental trajectories. We examined the development of creativity in early adolescence using a group-based trajectory modeling. Data were collected from seventh-grade Japanese junior high school students. In this prospective longitudinal study, participants’ creativity was assessed using the verbal Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking at three time points (every six months). They also reported on perceived parental autonomy support and psychological control at the first phase of the study. Results of the analysis (N = 331) suggested that the developmental trajectories of creativity during early adolescence could be classified into three groups: low, moderate, and high. In addition, multinomial regression analyses (N = 293) showed that adolescents with higher perceived autonomy support or lower perceived psychological control were more likely to be grouped into the moderate-creativity group compared to the low-creativity group. These findings provide insights into the relationship between creativity in early adolescence and parental attitudes from the perspective of heterogeneous developmental trajectories.

Contingencies of Self-Worth, Contentment of Sources of Self-Worth, and Self-Esteem among Japanese High School Students

Contingencies of Self-Worth, Contentment of Sources of Self-Worth, and Self-Esteem among Japanese High School Students

‘We’ in English language textbooks for Japanese high school students

‘We’ in English language textbooks for Japanese high school students

Japanese cultural adaptation and validation of the social emotional health survey-secondary for junior high school students

The Social Emotional Health Survey–Secondary (SEHS-S) assesses adolescents’ psychological dispositions associated with positive psychosocial development. The present study extended SEHS–S research by validating the SEHS-S with a nonwestern sample of Japanese junior high school students (Grades 7–9; N = 1,181) and investigating sex and grade level difference in Covitality and four domains of positive psychological dispositions (Belief-in-Self, Belief-in-Others, Emotional Competence, and Engaged Living). The confirmatory factor analyses supported the internal validity of the SEHS-S with a second-order model. Higher Covitality scores predicted higher life satisfaction, school connectedness, and prosocial behavior and lower emotional symptoms, conduct problems, inattention/hyperactivity, and peer problems, evidence of concurrent validity. Analyses supported the factorial invariance for different sex and grade level. Females reported higher Belief-in-Others and Emotional Competence and lower Belief-in-Self and Engaged Living than males. Grade 9 students reported higher Covitality, Belief-in-Self, Emotional Competence, and Belief-in-Others than Grade 8 students. These results support expanding the use of the SEHS–S as a universal wellness screener in Japanese junior high schools to identify the social–emotional strengths of all students. Further study needs to establish how to use the SEHS–S most effectively with Japanese junior high school students in a culturally sensitive manner.

What are Japanese High School Students’ Imagined English-Speaking Future Selves?

What are Japanese High School Students’ Imagined English-Speaking Future Selves?

Computer-Based Listening Test with Full Video, Visual-Limited Video, and Audio: A Comparative Analysis Based on Difficulty, Discrimination Power, and Response Time

ABSTRACT This study aimed to compare item characteristics and response time between stimulus conditions in computer-delivered listening tests. Listening materials had three variants: regular videos, frame-by-frame videos, and only audios without visuals. Participants were 228 Japanese high school students who were requested to complete one of nine listening test forms. Results showed that item difficulty did not significantly differ between conditions, but item discrimination was much weaker in regular video versions than in the other two conditions. Response time was not different in the three conditions in any quantile. This suggests that listening items full of visual information have different aspects of the general (traditional) listening construct, despite the possibility of construct-irrelevant factors being affected.

Relationship between menstruation-related experiences and health-related quality of life of Japanese high school students: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundRecently, there has been a growing global movement concerning menstruation, a healthy and natural physiological phenomenon in women. The disadvantages caused by menstruation are “gender-based obstacles.“ Adolescent girls are also under its influence and perhaps in a more vulnerable situation than adult women. This study investigated the experiences related to menstruation that affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of high school students in Japan.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted at a municipal high school in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The study population comprised 233 female students among which 198 completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire contained items about menstruation and HRQOL measured by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).ResultsApproximately a quarter had experienced difficulties in obtaining sanitary products in the past year, whether for economic or non-economic reasons. Menstruation-associated symptoms, impact on daily life, trouble with menstruation at an unexpected time, usage of painkillers, unhealthy lifestyle, and negative perception of menstruation were significantly associated with lower HRQOL scores, particularly in the mental component summary scores of the SF-36.ConclusionsFor the high school students with severe menstruation-associated symptoms that interfere with their daily lives, the results of this study suggest that improving access to medical care, information, and education can contribute to a better HRQOL.

The value of extracurricular activities to Japanese junior high school students: focusing on the expression of a school’s attractiveness in writing

This study explores the value of extracurricular activities to Japanese junior high school students and how this value can be transmitted to junior students through essay writing. The study participants involved Japanese seventh graders; the essay focused on school attractiveness and covered the following three conditions: (1) “control condition,” where juniors (sixth graders) are assumed to be readers, (2) “emphasis condition,” where the teacher requested participants to assume a more specific view of the juniors, and (3) “emphasis–visualization condition,” where the teacher requested participants to assume a more specific view of juniors and where the participants visualized the characteristics of juniors before completing the writing assignment. More information regarding extracurricular activities was provided in the emphasis–visualization condition. This suggests that when Japanese junior high school students are highly aware of their juniors, they evaluate extracurricular activities as an attractive school feature and readily transmit this value to younger students.

Current status and factors of periodontal disease among Japanese high school students: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence of periodontal disease and the factors of the disease among high school students.MethodThe participants were all students aged 15–18 years (n = 1202) at a high school in Japan. The data on oral health perceptions and behaviours were collected by a questionnaire survey. The prevalence of periodontal disease among them was investigated with the partial community periodontal index (PCPI). A logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with the PCPI.ResultsA total of 1069 students (88.9%) participated in this study. The prevalence of gingival bleeding, calculus, pocket depth of 4–5 mm, and pocket depth of 6 mm or more were 44.2%, 42.2%, 11.4%, and 1.6%, respectively. Approximately one-third of the students had a fear of dental treatment, and only 28.4% used dental floss. The results of logistic regression analysis, adjusted for sex and school year, showed that not visiting dentists regularly, not using dental floss, brushing teeth for less than 5 min, fear of dental treatment, and drinking sports drinks frequently were positively associated with periodontal conditions.ConclusionThis study identified a high prevalence of periodontal disease among Japanese high school students aged 15–18 years and its risk factors, such as poor oral health behaviours and fear of dental treatment.

Impact of Debate Instruction and Pair Practice on Japanese High School Students’ Speaking Skills and Critical Thinking

The revised course of study guidelines for senior high schools in Japan now features a new subject, “Logic and Expression”, designed to enhance communication skills through the formulation and elaboration of logical structures. This addition underscores a rising societal emphasis, both locally and globally, on fostering the ability to articulate thoughts logically and convincingly, anchored in critical thinking (CT). Existing research reveals a positive correlation between CT and speaking skills, crediting English debate, pair practice, and peer assessment as effective strategies. This study seeks to examine the impact of utilizing the “format” in debate instruction and implementing pair practice to augment high school students’ speaking skills and CT. Interviews were analyzed through the lens of the Modified Grounded Theory Approach to derive our core hypothesis: the instruction of debate “format” exhibits a synergistic relationship with pair practice. This research endeavors to illuminate the mechanisms through which debate “format” instruction and pair practice influence the growth of CT and speaking skills from the learners’ perspective. It underscores the value of collaborative learning in a secondary educational environment, projecting potential applications across diverse speaking instruction practices.

Comparability Between Graded Readers and the Common Test in Japan in Terms of Text Difficulty Perceived by Learners

ABSTRACT Proponents of extensive reading argue that test-oriented language teaching and learning could discourage extensive reading practice. However, this has not been examined empirically. Given the possibility that the consistency of reading texts used in extensive reading and entrance examinations is one source of washback, the present study employed a two-facet Rasch measurement to examine the comparability between graded readers and the Common Test in Japan in terms of text difficulty perceived by Japanese high school students. It was found that perceived difficulty of the Common Test texts was not statistically different from that of some graded reader texts, providing positive evidence for the consistency between the Common Test and graded reader texts. Implications for future research on the relationship between entrance examinations and extensive reading are discussed in detail based on study findings and limitations.

Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Leisure Screen Time and Eating Habits of Japanese High School Students: A Comparison between before and during the Pandemic.

This study aimed to determine whether adolescents' leisure screen time differed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic compared to before the pandemic, and to identify factors that affect leisure screen time among Japanese high school students. The Health Behavior in School Children questionnaire was used to investigate differences in eating habits and physical and mental health. The results showed that the leisure screen time of Japanese high school students was 2.6 h (SD = 1.4) before the pandemic, and 3.2 h (SD = 1.5) during the pandemic. The factors that increased leisure screen time were found to differ between boys and girls. No significant deterioration in physical and mental health was observed. The impact of the pandemic on eating habits differed in boys and girls. Boys reported "not feeling great about life" as a factor that increased leisure screen time during the pandemic, suggesting that negative emotions influenced the increase in leisure screen time. The pandemic had a significant impact on girls' leisure screen time. Longer screen time should be carefully monitored because it can lead to sleep disturbances, worsening of mental health, and obesity. Compared with before the pandemic, the health status of boys and girls changed little. Eating habits tended to improve for both boys and girls.

Association Between Loneliness, Premenstrual Symptoms, and Other Factors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study with Japanese High School Students.

Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood where people are vulnerable to stress. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause sustained stress in the population. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation and loneliness have increased. Loneliness is associated with increased stress, psychological distress, and a higher risk of mental illnesses, such as depression. This study examined the association between loneliness, premenstrual symptoms, and other factors in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescent females in Japan. A school-based cross-sectional survey of 1450 adolescent female students in Japan was conducted in mid-December of 2021. Specifically, paper-based questionnaires were distributed in class, and the responses were collected. The Premenstrual Symptoms Questionnaire (PSQ), 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, 3-item Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (R-UCLA), and Fear of COVID-19 Scale were used as measurement tools. The prevalence of loneliness was defined as a total R-UCLA score ≥ 6. The prevalence of loneliness was 29.0%. The prevalence of serious psychological distress was also high (8.2%), especially in the lonely group (16.0%). Multivariable regression analysis identified the following factors associated with loneliness: second year (odds ratio [OR] 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-2.14), longer internet use (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20), total PSQ score (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.06-1.11), and psychological distress (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.08). Adolescent females in Japan showed a high prevalence of loneliness. School year (2nd year), longer periods of internet use, premenstrual symptom severity, and psychological distress were independently associated with loneliness. For clinicians and school health professionals, special concern should be given to the psychological health of adolescent females during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Relationships between Three Summary Question Types, Reading Comprehension, and Writing Expression for Japanese High School Students

Relationships between Three Summary Question Types, Reading Comprehension, and Writing Expression for Japanese High School Students

Ocean literacy among Taiwanese and Japanese high school students

The sea surrounds both Taiwan and Japan, but they have adopted different marine education policies. This study used the ocean literacy framework published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to examine the ocean literacy of high school students in Taiwan and Japan. We also investigated the channels through which students acquired marine biology knowledge and whether parental education level and students’ attitudes toward the ocean affected ocean literacy. Tests were administered in Japanese and Chinese to assess students’ ocean literacy, attitude, and background. This study used descriptive statistics, the independent sample t-test, and multigroup structural equation modeling. Taiwanese students considerably outperformed Japanese students in ocean literacy, scoring significantly higher in five of the seven ocean literacy principles. In Taiwan, higher parental education level led to higher ocean literacy scores, but not in Japan. Access to information regarding marine biology also differed by country. These results provide a reference to high schools, teachers, and policymakers in Taiwan and Japan and can help improve curricula, learning environments, and marine education policies.

The Effects of L1 Transfers on L2 English Intransitive Errors by Japanese Learners

Second language (L2) learners of various native languages frequently overpassivize one type of intransitive verbs, namely, unaccusatives (e.g., disappeared, arrivedn). Previous studies have attempted to address the culprit of this issue without reaching a general consensus on the cause of such errors. This study investigates whether first language (L1) plays a role in L2 English overpassivization errors with intransitive verbs by Japanese-speaking learners. It utilizes the framework of the Unaccusative Trap Hypothesis (UTH, Oshita, 2001) and hypothesizes that learners ungrammatically passivize unaccusative verbs due to L1 lexicon and morphology. It also predicts that learners generate passive errors with unergatives (e.g., cry, smile) in the same manner as passive unaccusatives. The study examined three types of intransitives: English non-alternating/Japanese alternating unaccusatives (e.g., happen in English and okiru/okosu in Japanese); English/Japanese non-alternating unaccusatives (e.g., arrive in English and tuku in Japanese); unergatives. The study analyzed a Japanese learners’ corpus (JEFLL Corpus), consisting of approximately 70,000 words from Japanese junior high and high school students. The findings in this study are that Japanese EFL learners tend to passivize more English non-alternating/Japanese alternating unaccusatives and unergatives than English/Japanese non-alternating unaccusatives. Given the result, it can be suggested that Japanese learners passivize unaccusatives owing to the influence of their L1 lexicon and morphology.

The Impact of L2 Motivational Self System and Students’ Perceptions of English Proficiency on Attitudes toward Translanguaging

This mixed method study investigated the relationship between L2 motivational self-system, students' perceptions of English proficiency, and attitudes toward translanguaging among Japanese high school students. Participants completed a questionnaire comprising three parts: background information, motivation factors, and attitudes toward language choice. Structural equation modeling (N = 213) and trajectory equifinality approach (N = 1) were used to analyze the data and chart the process of changes in attitudes toward translanguaging. The results showed that students preferred the use of translanguaging in English classes, and the ideal L2 self was a more important factor than the perceptions of English proficiency in predicting attitudes towards English. In addition, the study found that students' perceptions of English proficiency had a negative effect on the attitude toward English-only communication and a positive effect on the attitude toward translanguaging. Analysis, using the trajectory equifinality approach, showed a transformation process in one participant's attitude toward translanguaging.

PS-BPC11-2: PEDIATRIC BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORY PREDICTS LONGITUDINAL VARIABILITY IN BLOOD PRESSURE IN YOUTH

Objectives: In order to identify risk factors that cause elevated blood pressure during adolescence, we aimed to evaluate the predictive effect of childhood factors on longitudinal variability of individual blood pressure during youth. Methods: Childhood data were obtained from medical checkups of Japanese male and female junior high school students aged 12–13 years during the period from 2009 to 2010. Childhood measurements were height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressures, complete blood counts, uric acid, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Childhood blood pressure was categorized as normal, elevated blood pressure, or hypertension according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) clinical practice guideline. Linear mixed-effects models for repeated measures were used to estimate the effect of baseline childhood factors on longitudinal changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Results: A total of 1304 participants were followed up to the 10th year. At baseline, the mean age was 12.6 years [SD, 0.3] and 26.2% were female. Among male participants, 6.3% were categorized as having elevated blood pressure and 8.8% were categorized as having hypertension, while among female participants 6.1% were categorized as having elevated blood pressure and 8.5% were categorized as having hypertension. Boys in the hypertension category had higher BMI, higher uric acid, and lower HDLC compared with those in the normal blood pressure category, but this trend was not statistically significant in girls. Of each childhood factor, the baseline blood pressure category according to AAP clinical practice guideline fit best with longitudinal changes in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the linear mixed-effects models. Conclusion: These results suggest that the AAP pediatric blood pressure category is the strongest predictor of longitudinal variability in individual blood pressure in youth.

Relationship between dairy product intake and sense of coherence among middle and high school students in Japan.

Despite the growing attention toward the effects of dairy intake on stress and mental health, its relationship to psychological constructs that affect mental health remains poorly understood. We conducted a cross-sectional study (Study 1) and a longitudinal study (Study 2) to examine the association between food intake and stress resilience in Japanese middle and high school students. In Study 1, 865 participants (412 males and 453 females) completed the questionnaires. In Study 2, 109 students (51 males and 58 females) participated each year from 2016 to 2018. Dietary intake was assessed using a brief self-administered diet history questionnaire. Stress resilience was evaluated using a 13-item sense of coherence (SOC) questionnaire. Correlation coefficients were calculated in Study 1 to investigate the relationship between food group intake and SOC. In Study 2, a cross-lagged panel model was tested using structural equation modeling to investigate the effect of dairy product consumption on SOC. Study 1 revealed that only dairy product intake positively correlated with SOC and other food intake indicated no significant relationship. Study 2 indicated that augmented dairy product intake was positively associated with SOC. Among all foods, only dairy products were associated with SOC in adolescents. Although the association was weak, the longitudinal study confirmed that dairy consumption was associated with SOC. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to examine the causal relationship.

Associations between self-rated health and daily physical activity, sports participation, sedentary behaviour and sleep among the general population of Japanese junior high school and high school students

Associations between self-rated health and daily physical activity, sports participation, sedentary behaviour and sleep among the general population of Japanese junior high school and high school students