Abstract
Objective: This study examined the relationship between realistic optimism (RO) and well-being (WB) among the university students of Japan and India.
The purpose of this research is to find whether difference in culture and economy have any impact on the relationship between WB and RO of both countries.
Method: A questionnaire survey was conducted through random sampling, using a RO scale (Aneesah and Magari) and a WB scale (Butler and Kern), on students from Japan (n=590, 3 Universities) and India (n=210, 2 Universities). The data was analyzed using two-way ANOVA. RO and Country were independent variables and WB and its five factors (positive emotion, engagement, relationship, meaning and accomplishment) were the dependent variables. The scores of RO were categorized as high, middle and low groups to investigate precisely how the score of RO are related to that of WB.
Results: A significant positive relation (p＜.001) was found between RO and WB (F＝81.69) and between RO and "positive emotion (F＝75.99)", "relationship (F＝33.28)", and "meaning (F＝59.71)" in both countries. Score of "engagement" was significantly higher (F＝10.78) in Japan as the level of realistic optimism increased and score of “accomplishment (F＝56.55)” was higher in India.
Discussion: This research indicates that RO and WB are positively related in both countries regardless of economic and cultural differences. In this research, RO has emerged as a factor for maintaining WB. Further research should enable us to identify ways to promote optimistic behavior.
Author Information
Aneesah Nishaat, Soka University, Japan
Comments
Powered by WP LinkPress