Women's colleges provide a supportive environment for women, leading to their empowerment and confidence in daily life, learning, and community leadership. Studies show that stress significantly impacts academic success, and a sense of belonging, care, and mental and health conditions significantly influence students' success. Supporting student wellness is a strength of women's universities, as defined by the Global Wellness Institute. Empowerment leads to wellness, as it involves controlling self-care and creating empowerment. This study aims to investigate student stress and its causes among students at Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts, focusing on the actual state of student wellness and guiding future support for students.
This is part one of a 4-year study. In the spring of 2025, 442 first-year students in six faculties used three instruments to understand their self-perceived wellness. Yasuda’s (2022) Psychological Empowerment Survey, the Japanese version of Steger’s, (2008) The Meaning Scale of Life, Diener’s (1985) Life Satisfaction Scale Citing the Satisfaction With Life Scale, and Rosenberg's (1965) Self Esteem Scale, to understand the overall self-perceived wellness of first-year students. The study found that respondents displayed high levels of wellness, largely due to strong support from family and friends. They were interested in learning about social problems, finding goals, and feeling comfortable in a university environment, indicating a fulfilling life that may lead to empowerment. The study suggests that comparing responses as students progress through university can help provide direction for educational and institutional support in the future. The findings can help create an empowering environment for students.

Authors:
Lisa Rogers, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Japan
Hidemi Hashimoto, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Japan
Yumiko Imai, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Japan
Yuko Kurahashi, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Japan
Kazumasa Naruhashi, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Japan
Namie Saeki, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Hidemi Hashimoto is an associate professor. Her academic interests focus on health behaviors, health literacy, and health equity among migrant and culturally diverse populations, with particular attention to women of reproductive age.

Namie Saeki is a professor in the Department of International Studies at Doshisha Women’s College. Her research focuses on drama-based English education and pronunciation instruction. She has developed a study-abroad project based on PBL in Cambodia.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/namie-saeki-89972321/

Prof. Kazumasa Naruhashi is a professor in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts. His research focuses on the appropriate use of medications and pharmacy education.

Yuko Kurahashi is a Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Human Life and Science at Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yuko-Kurahashi

Yumiko Imai is a professor in the English Department at Doshisha Women’s College. Her research focuses on English education, English as an international language, and promoting pride in learners’ native accents and first-language foundations.

Prof. Lisa Rogers is a professor in the Faculty of Contemporary Social Studies, Social Systems Studies Department at Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts. Her research area is Intercultural Relations focusing on diversity and social justice.

Additional website of interest
https://jglobal.jst.go.jp/en/detail?JGLOBAL_ID=202101000575448082

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