CROSS-CULTURAL QUALITY-OF-LIFE - JAPANESE AND AMERICAN-COLLEGE STUDENTS

The Quality of Student Life Questionnaire (QSLQ) was used to collect d ata on 946 students in eight colleges and universities in Japan and th e United States. A series of 2 x 2 x 2 analyses of variance on total s cores and four factors (Satisfaction, Competence/Productivity, Indepen dence, and Social Belonging) were completed, comparing scores by gende r, type of school (four-year vs. two-year) and nationality. For total quality of life scores, main effects were found for country (American scores were higher) and type of school (scores were higher for four-ye ar colleges). Analysis of factor scores showed main effects for countr y (higher scores for American students) on all factors except Independ ence. These results are discussed in the context of differing cultural values and assumptions. Japanese and American views vary considerably , for example, on such issues as individuality, the role of groups, an d perception of self. These differences must be considered in interpre tation of cross-cultural findings.