The present study aimed to identify the differences between Japanese and Egyptian university students in psychological well-being (PWB). Japanese students (n = 138; 87 females and 51 males) and Egyptian students (n= 150; 84 females and 66 males) responded to a psychological well-being inventory. The results indicated that there are significant differences between Japanese and Egyptian students, with Japanese students scoring higher levels in autonomy and personal growth, and Egyptian students scoring higher levels in environmental control, self-acceptance, purpose in life, and positive relationships with others. No significant differences were observed for total psychological well-being score. We conclude that sex has a significant effect on self-acceptance only among the Egyptian samples, but has no significant effect in the Japanese student group. The findings are discussed in relation to psycho-social perspective and other cross-cultural studies.

Key words: psychological well-being culture, college students