Exploratory study of major negative experiences in university students

An exploratory investigation was conducted with university students regarding major negative events experienced by them, and the correlation between these events with accompanying emotions. University students (N=94) responded to an open-ended questionnaire. The negative events that they experienced were categorized using the KJ method into the following areas: (1) academic life/career, (2) human relations, (3) extracurricular activities/sports (4) losses, (5) disasters, (6) crime victimization, and (7) illness/injury. Then, Hayashi's Quantification Method III was applied to major negative events and accompanying emotions. Results indicated that major negative events experienced in extracurricular activities and sports were correlated with frustration and anger, those in academic life/career path and human relations were correlated with sadness, disasters with resignation, and loss with surprise. There was no correlation between experiences of crime victimization with any emotion. This research presents a frame of reference for investigating experiences of major negative events.