[Development of a Japanese version of the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Scale].

This study developed a Japanese version of the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease (PVD) scale. Analysis of the data from Japanese university students (N = 435) replicated the two-factor structure of the original scale: one factor that assessed beliefs about one's own susceptibility to infectious diseases (perceived infectability) and the other factor that assessed emotional discomfort in contexts that connoted an especially high potential for pathogen transmission (germ aversion). Tests of reliability and validity for each subscale indicated overall promising results. It would appear that the results reflect at least in part an evolutionary adaptive psychological mechanism for the ancestral environment.

Social support as a moderator in a fall prevention program for older adults.

This study examined the moderating effects of social support in a fall prevention program for community-dwelling older adults. Twenty-six Japanese older adults age 65 and older participated in a 2-month exercise program and were measured in anthropometrical, physical, and psychological functioning at baseline, 2 months (intervention termination), and 5 months (3 months after intervention termination). Analyses indicated that the program did not improve participants' body mass index, balance, or walking speed. However, participants'falls self-efficacy significantly increased from baseline to intervention termination and was maintained at a higher level at the 5-month postintervention follow up. This efficacy-improving effect was prominent in the participants who had received less social support at baseline. The findings emphasized the importance of considering participants' social resources and targeted intervention outcomes when evaluating the effect of exercise.

[The effects of bereavement of friends on depression in adulthood: age and family support as moderators].

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the moderating effects of age and social support from family members in the relationship between the bereavement of friends and depression. The participants were 1 402 Japanese community-dwelling men and women aged between 40 and 79 years, who had done the baseline and the two-year follow-up surveys of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA). By using hierarchical multiple regression analysis, we detected a significant interaction between age, social support from family members, and the bereavement of friends. Younger participants who were receiving less support from family members after the loss of friends showed significantly higher depression scores.

Age differences in the effect of physical activity on depressive symptoms.

This study examined associations between physical activity and depressive symptoms in 1,151 community-dwelling adults in Japan. Physical activity was measured using a pedometer, whereas depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. A structural equation modeling with a cross-lagged panel design revealed that for the older adults (65-79 years of age), daily walking at baseline predicted fewer depressive symptoms at the 2-year follow-up, even after adjusting for confounders. In contrast, the association was not confirmed for the middle-aged adults (40-64 years of age). Findings suggest that age should be considered when estimating the effect of physical activity on psychological well-being.

The impact of health problems on depression and activities in middle-aged and older adults: age and social interactions as moderators.

In this study, we compared the impact of health problems (HPs) on everyday activities and depressive symptoms between middle-aged and older adults. We also examined what type and source of social interactions moderate the noxious effects of HPs. Longitudinal analyses of data with 1,802 Japanese community-dwelling adults indicated that HPs were significantly related to (a) an increase in depressive symptoms among middle-aged adults and (b) a decline in everyday activities among older adults. The former was buffered by emotional family support, whereas the latter (b) was buffered by instrumental family support and, surprisingly, by negative interactions with family. In contrast, social interactions with other friends and acquaintances did not show any moderating effect.

[Age and gender differences as factors related to depressive symptoms among community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly people].

This study was conducted to identify factors associated with depressive symptoms among males and females in two age groups; the middle-aged (40-59 years) and elderly (60-79 years). Subjects were 2211 community-dwelling people (1115 males and 1096 females). Depressive symptoms were estimated by Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Marital status, self-rated health, activities of daily living, age awareness, locus of control, and social support were assessed using self-administered questionnaires and interviews. In all groups, poor subjective health and external locus of control showed significant positive association with depressive symptoms. Age awareness was associated with depressive symptoms in female groups. Impairment of instrumental activities of daily living and lower social support were associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly groups. The findings suggested that there might be age and gender differences in the impact of factors associated with depressive symptoms.

[Effects of shift work schedule on mood changes among female nurses].

This study examined the short-term effects of shift work on mood changes. The subjects were 1,608 Japanese female nurses, working on rotating 3-shift schedules consisted of day, evening, and night shift. Repeated measurements of six dimensions of mood and sleep hours in four consecutive days were analyzed. Prominent changes of subjective fatigue, activity and confusion were observed especially when shift changes occurred (e.g., day shift to night shift or night shift to evening shift). The changes of mood were contingent to those of sleep hours, which suggested the close association between them. However, the mood changes were observed even after adjusting for the effect of sleep hours, indicating that irregular sleep pattern is not the only cause that affects mood.