西口 雄基

ABSTRACT Introduction Paranoid ideation, a crucial component of psychotic‐like experiences, tends to increase between early and late adolescence, even in the general population, and it negatively affects overall mental health and social adjustment. Japanese adolescents experience high levels of interpersonal stress. However, few studies have examined the relationship between paranoid ideation and interpersonal stress. This study investigated the effects of maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and interpersonal stress on paranoid ideation to provide suggestions for preventive education and early intervention for paranoid ideations among Japanese university students. Methods An online questionnaire survey involving 400 Japanese university students, aged between 18 and 22 years, was conducted. The questionnaires used were the Paranoia Checklist, the Metacognitive Questionnaire‐30, and the Interpersonal Stressor Scale. The Interpersonal Stressor Scale was developed specifically for Japanese adolescents. Results A multiple regression analysis was performed, which showed that the regression coefficients of the interaction between maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and interpersonal stress were significant for paranoid ideation. The results of the simple slope analysis regarding the scales on which interactions were found also indicated that the influence of maladaptive metacognitive beliefs on paranoid ideation was greater when interpersonal stress levels were higher. Conclusion The combination of interpersonal stress and maladaptive metacognitive beliefs exacerbates paranoid ideation among Japanese university students. It is important to modify metacognitive and cognitive biases in preventive education and early intervention strategies.

Abstract Aim The purpose of this study is manifold: to develop a trainer skill rating scale for metacognitive training (MCT), to determine the difficulty level of the behavioral checklist, and to examine the reliability and validity of the MCT Trainer Skills Rating Scale. Method In Study 1, an MCT trainer skill behavior checklist was developed with expert staff members, and a questionnaire was administered to MCT trainers. Item categorization was identical to that used in previous studies. In Study 2, a video was used to conduct the survey. All subjects were given a 1‐hour training session, instructed on evaluating the MCT Trainer Skills Rating Scale, and asked to rate their trainer skills on a mock video designed for beginners and a mock video designed for advanced trainers. Result In Study 1, responses from 49 respondents were obtained. The survey results showed that 72 items were classified similarly to previous studies. In Study 2, two pairs were randomly selected, and weighted kappa coefficients were calculated for the sub‐items of the MCT Trainer Skills Rating Scale. High agreement was obtained with K = 0.71 and K = 0.73, indicating high reliability. Conclusion High reliability was obtained for all eight items of the MCT Trainer Skills Rating Scale created in this study. In addition, the video evaluation scores for the advanced trainer were significantly higher than those for the beginner trainer, suggesting that discriminant validity was confirmed among the criterion‐related validity. These results confirm that the scale has both high reliability and validity.

Abstract Optimism is typically conceptualized as a relatively static tendency regarding positive expectations about one’s future. However, recent studies suggest that optimism may meaningfully fluctuate within individuals over time. To date, little is known about the characteristics of such state optimism and potential cultural difference in state optimism. Accordingly, we developed a Japanese version of the State Optimism Measure (J-SOM) and examined its validity and the nature of intraindividual state optimism fluctuations; we also examined relationships between the J-SOM and other measures of mental health, including trait optimism. We conducted two online longitudinal surveys with different time intervals (weekly, n = 97; monthly, n = 99) targeting university students. Results were largely consistent between the two surveys. We confirmed high factor validity and internal consistency of the J-SOM. The J-SOM showed significant correlations in expected directions with other measures such as depressive mood and subjective happiness. In addition, intraindividual changes in the J-SOM were associated with changes in mood and quality of daily life. Importantly, these associations between intraindividual change in optimism and in other variables were minimal for trait optimism. We also found that state optimism, compared with trait optimism, tended to show larger intraindividual changes over 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 weeks. In summary, this study developed a translated version of the SOM and validated it, and then showed, for the first time, that state optimism can fluctuate within individuals in daily life over a span of several weeks.

INTRODUCTION: The Nepean Beliefs Scale by Brakoulias et al. is an interview-based multidimensional instrument that measures pathological beliefs in various psychiatric disorders. This study examined the reliability and validity of Nepean Beliefs Scale (NBS) for delusions and overvalued ideas in patients with chronic-phase schizophrenia. Methods: Multiple raters at two healthcare settings examined the beliefs of 28 individuals with schizophrenia using the NBS. Concurrently, PANSS, PDI-21, BCIS, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were administered. RESULTS: The NBS had high reliability and correlation with relevant scales. DISCUSSION: The NBS was found to have sufficient reliability and validity for assessing the pathological beliefs of patients with chronic schizophrenia. Although NBS is an easy-to-instruct instrument, it should be noted that appropriate explanations and examples should be added to instructions to obtain reliable responses from patients with chronic schizophrenia.