A comparison of personality maturity among Japanese youth and Finnish young adult students: a cross sectional study using Erikson psychosocial stage inventory and sense of coherence scale
Abstract Objective This study aimed to clarify the child rearing improvement approach in Japan by evaluating the 'Personality Maturity' of Japanese youth and Finnish young adult students. Methods The cross sectional survey was carried out on the Internet with youth aged 18 25 using the Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory (EPSI) and Sense of Coherence (SOC) scales. In total, 865 Japanese youth were recruited from GMO Research Monitors and 898 Finnish young adult students were recruited from Tampere University; 762 Japanese youth and 896 Finnish young adult students responded to all 13 SOC and 42 EPSI questions. Results Mean total and subscale scores of Japanese youth were lower than those of Finnish young adult students for both EPSI and SOC. We found a strong, negative correlation (r .685) in Japan and a strong, positive correlation in Finland (r .831) between total EPSI and SOC scores. Conclusions Japanese youth showed stronger development of either EPSI or SOC.