Journal of Positive School Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Ways of Savoring Checklist (WOSC-J), adapted from the original English version of the Ways of Savoring Checklist (Bryant & Veroff, 2007). We translated and back-translated the WOSC-J, and administered it to 520 Japanese adults using an online survey. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to examine the factor structure of the measure. Confirming our hypothesis, a two-factor model (amplifying and dampening) yielded the best goodness-of-fit to the data. Each of the two factors had adequate internal consistency reliability. To assess the criterion validity of the new instrument, this study also examined associations between the two WOSC-J subscales and measures of emotional experience, self-esteem, and optimism. Consistent with Western data, the amplifying subscale tended to show a stronger positive relationship with positive mood states than did the dampening subscale. Overall, the present findings indicate that the WOSC-J is an acceptable tool for measuring savoring among Japanese adults.