Cross-cultural quality of life: Japanese and American college students

The Quality of Student Life Questionnaire (QSLQ) was used to collect data on 946 students in eight colleges and universities in Japan and the United States. A series of 2 x 2 x 2 analyses of variance on total scores Japan and the United States) were completed, comparing scores by gender, 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-year colleges). Analysis of factor scores showed main effects for country (higher scores for American students) on all factors except Independence. 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, and perception of self. These differences must be considered in interpretation of cross-cultural findings.