Validity of Japanese version of health promoting school culture scale

Background The Health-Promoting School Culture Scale (HPSCS) was developed in Canada to assess cultural and normative aspects of school health promotion, but its cross-context psychometrics remain underexamined. Objectives To validate the Japanese version (J-HPSCS) for use in high schools. Methods An anonymous web survey was completed by 1,148 staff from 135 prefectural high schools. The scale was translated using forward–backward translation and expert review. Factorial validity was assessed by confirmatory factor analysis; convergent/discriminant validity by composite reliability, average variance extracted, and the Fornell–Larcker criterion; and concurrent validity by multilevel models using workplace social capital (WSC). Results Four items (community partnerships, school meals, active transport) showed weak loadings and were removed. The resulting 12-item, three-factor model (Parent Engagement, Teachers’ Commitment, School Physical Environment) showed adequate composite reliability (0.76–0.82), average variance extracted (0.47–0.55), and discriminant validity. Multilevel analyses indicated significant associations between WSC and J-HPSCS, stronger at the school level. Conclusions The J-HPSCS shows acceptable psychometrics in Japanese high schools and offers a practical tool to assess school health culture and support cross-national comparison and policy.