Differences between Australian and Japanese Students in Decisional Self-Esteem, Decisional Stress, and Coping Styles

In this article, the effect of culture on decisional self-esteem, decisional stress, and self-reported decision coping styles is examined. Results of a questionnaire study of 743 Japanese and 309 Australian university students showed that for both cultural groups decisional self-esteem was positively correlated with the "choice" style of decision making, but was negatively correlated with decisional stress and the "complacency," "avoidance," and "hypervigilance" coping styles in personal decision making. Cultural differences were found, with Japanese students lower than Australian students on decisional self-esteem, higher on decisional stress, and higher on complacency, avoidance, and hypervigilance coping styles. These findings are related to cross-cultural differences between Australia (an individualistic culture) and Japan(a collectivistic or group-oriented culture).