Page 326 - GHR_NursingCMU2024_Final.indd

Relationship Between Self-esteem, Name Acceptance, and Consciousness of
Child Naming Among University Students

3
2
1
4
6
5
M. Sakamoto, A. Nishino, N. Hamada, S. Furuichi, N. Ozaki, N. Tokuchi, and K. Tanimoto 6
1 2 3
Nursing Department, Kyoto University Hospital, Japan, Kurashiki Special Needs School, Japan, Nursing
4
Department, Osaka Red Cross Hospital, Japan, Nursing Department, Kagawa University Hospital, Japan,
5 6
Formerly of School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Japan, and School of Nursing,
Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Japan
Background: The significance of names extends beyond mere labels; they profoundly influence individ-
ual identity and societal interactions. In Japan, naming practices involve intricate choices among kanji,
hiragana, katakana, and stylized characters (“odori-ji”), reflecting cultural values and personal connections.
Despite this cultural richness, recent trends suggest evolving preferences and considerations among
Japanese youth regarding self-acceptance of their own names and their implications for child naming
practices. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for comprehending how names shape personal
identity and cultural continuity in contemporary Japan.

Objective: This study explores how self-acceptance of one’s own name influences self-esteem and
awareness of child naming among university students.

Methods: An anonymous self-report survey was conducted using Google Forms among university
students ranging from freshman to senior year. The survey included established scales such as the
“Name Acceptance Scale,” “Self-Esteem Scale,” and “15 Aspects Considered When Naming a Child”.

Results: Factor analysis of the Name Acceptance Scale revealed four sub-dimensions labeled as
“Favorable Impression,” “Homophily,” “Awareness of Originality,” and “Positive Reception of Origin.”
Significant correlations were found between self-esteem scores and the “Favorable Impression” (r = 0.536)
and “Positive Reception of Origin” (r = 0.306) sub-scales. In terms of child naming preferences, “Meaning
of Characters (Kanji)” and “Expression of Wishes” received the highest scores. Conversely, “Incorporating
kanji characters or readings from parents, grandparents, siblings”, and “Incorporating kanji characters or
readings from respected individuals, or celebrities” received lower scores, reflecting a departure from
traditional naming practices prevalent in Japan.

Conclusion: The study highlights that a positive acceptance of one’s own name correlates with higher
self-esteem among university students. Furthermore, preferences in child naming practices, particularly
the emphasis on kanji meanings and wish expression, reflect the cultural nuances of naming in Japan. This
research contributes to understanding how name acceptance shape’s individual identity and influences
cultural practices related to child naming.

Keywords: name, self-esteem, name acceptance, consciousness of child naming
Poster Presentation Abstracts
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Correspondence: Kimie Tanimoto, School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Japan
E-mail: tanimoto.kimie@kagawa-u.ac.jp

324