This R&D Item examines how people perceive controllability, cope with stress, and maintain resilience and well-being under adverse conditions. It also investigates cognitive, emotional, and neural processes related to negative capability. Through these studies, the project aims to establish a foundation for understanding mental states under adversity from multiple perspectives and for developing future assessment and support approaches.

Dr. Michele Wessa and Dr. Klaus Lieb from the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR) continued to participate in the project, advancing international collaborative research on how perceived controllability under adversity is related to Maemuki, resilience, mental health, and well-being. In FY2025, Dr. Naotsugu Tsuchiya from Monash University also joined the project and initiated research on cognitive, emotional, and neural processes related to negative capability.

Perceived Controllability, Stress Responses, and Resilience

Dr. Wessa’s research group conducted a study combining stress-related tasks with psychological, physiological, and brain-related measures to examine the role of perceived controllability in mental health and resilience. The results showed characteristic patterns of subjective helplessness, physiological responses, and brain activity in individuals who maintained a higher sense of controllability under adversity. These findings suggest that perceived controllability may be related to stress regulation and may provide a basis for future research on support approaches and predictive models related to Maemuki.

Positive Mental States, Health, and Resilience

To clarify the relationship between positive mental states and psychosocial resources, Dr. Wessa’s research group, in collaboration with PI Yamada and PI Hamada, established a framework and plan for a systematic review and meta-analysis. The study will examine longitudinal associations between psychosocial resources, such as optimism and social support, and positive mental states, such as life satisfaction, happiness, and forward-oriented attitudes. It will also examine how these relationships may vary across cultural backgrounds.

Neural and Bodily Indicators Related to Perceived Controllability

To investigate neural and bodily aspects of perceived controllability, Dr. Wessa and PI Yamada continued in-person and online discussions on research design, data collection methods, and preliminary findings. These collaborative efforts advanced the planning of future joint studies.

Foundation for Longitudinal Research on Controllability and Resilience

In March 2026, a workshop entitled “The Science of Maemuki for Cancer Survivors” was held in Japan to discuss study protocols, baseline measurements, and ongoing findings for future longitudinal research. The workshop strengthened collaboration among PIs Fujimori, Yamada, and Hamada. Preparations also began for collaboration with cancer care facilities in Germany and for future participant recruitment.

Cognitive and Emotional Processes Related to Negative Capability

In FY2025, Dr. Naotsugu Tsuchiya from Monash University joined the project and initiated research on cognitive and emotional processes related to negative capability. Using a large-scale online sample, the group examined relationships between subjective emotion ratings for diverse stimuli and self-monitoring. The findings suggest that how individuals evaluate and recognize emotions as their own states may be important for understanding individual differences related to negative capability.

Analytical Foundation for Neural Processes Related to Negative Capability

This project examines how negative capability is related to mental states under adversity through perceptual, attentional, and emotional processes. Using preliminary EEG experiments and analyses of existing behavioral and neural data, the project is developing a framework to relate the process of suspending judgment to neuroscientific states and mathematical models, while exploring candidate neural indicators.

The project will continue to investigate how perceived controllability and related positive mental states are associated with resilience, mental health, and well-being. Through re-analyses of existing datasets, meta-analyses, and cross-cultural comparative studies, we will deepen theoretical understanding and develop collaborative pilot studies and shared assessment batteries to support longitudinal research on stress and coping. We will also examine factors related to perceived controllability in the general population and in individuals experiencing real-life difficulties, with the aim of contributing to future assessment methods and support approaches.