ABSTRACT Increases in mental health problems within Japan’s school population have led the Japanese government to initiate school counselling services. However, the development of counselling services is hindered by the lack of public appreciation for the magnitude of mental health problems and the lack of clarity regarding the economic benefits of such counselling services. The aim of this study was to evaluate perceptions of the economic value of school counselling services. An internet-based questionnaire survey using a contingent valuation method was conducted (n = 600). Data on age, sex, marital status, family structure, job, annual household income, present/lifetime experience in using counselling services, and familiarity with school counselling services were compiled. Main outcome measure was willingness to pay for school counselling services. Study participants indicated a median willingness to pay JPY 1,332 (USD 13.32) per year for counselling services. The logistic regression analysis showed that the present use of counselling services and having children were significantly associated with WTP, while the other measured variables were not. The present study clarifies the public perception of the monetary value of school counselling services, and thus provides useful information to policymakers and taxpayers.

中文翻译：

---

日本支付学校咨询服务的意愿：一项或有估值研究

摘要日本学校人口中心理健康问题的增加导致日本政府开始提供学校咨询服务。但是，由于公众对心理健康问题的严重程度缺乏了解，以及对此类咨询服务的经济效益缺乏明确性，阻碍了咨询服务的发展。这项研究的目的是评估对学校咨询服务的经济价值的认识。进行了基于互联网的问卷调查，使用了或有估值法（n = 600）。收集了有关年龄，性别，婚姻状况，家庭结构，工作，家庭年收入，使用咨询服务的当前/终生经验以及对学校咨询服务的熟悉程度的数据。主要结果指标是支付学校咨询服务的意愿。研究参与者表示，他们平均愿意每年支付1,332日元（13.32美元）的咨询服务费用。Logistic回归分析表明，目前使用咨询服务和生孩子与WTP显着相关，而其他测量变量却没有。本研究澄清了公众对学校咨询服务货币价值的认识，从而为决策者和纳税人提供了有用的信息。