Feelings of Optimism and Pessimism in Japanese Students' Transition to Junior High School

Abstract

Generalized future expectancies of personal life success (optimism) and failure (pessimism) were examined in a cross-sectional study, with a sample of Japanese fifth-through ninth-grade students (N = 584). Average optimism scores were lower and average pessimism scores were higher after (seventh grade) than before (sixth grade) the transition to junior high school (JHS). Profiles of the optimism and pessimism subscales at fifth through ninth grades differed from each other as follows. Higher optimism scores were observed at ninth grade than at eighth grade, and the lowest pessimism scores were found at sixth grade. Measures of optimism and pessimism correlated in positive and negative directions, respectively, with students' estimates of general interest in school, peer relationships, and academic studies at all five grade levels. At the time of JHS transition, measures of optimism and pessimism did not correlate with relations with teachers. Findings are discussed as they relate to qualitative differences between elementary school and JHS in Japan.

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