The purpose of this paper is to reconsider the contents of Fujita (2019) and Fujita (2025)'s papers from the perspective of mental health. These two papers shed light on the psychosocial factors that influence changes in the subjective well-being and meaning of disability in adolescents and early adults with spina bifida. In this paper, we reconsider strength, a key concept in these two papers, from the perspective of mental health.
This paper emphasizes the importance of a strengths perspective when considering the mental health of people with spina bifida. This includes not only visible characteristics but also small successes and intangible attributes. It is important for people with spina bifida to be aware of their strengths, increase their social interest through social participation, and feel empowered and happy.
In this paper, I focused more on the social interest of strengths and Adlerian psychology from the contents of Fujita's (2019, 2025) two papers, and was able to consider the impact of strengths on mental health by examining it from various angles. In conclusion, this paper points out the importance of a strength’s perspective in the mental health of people with spina bifida in Japan. It suggests that by helping people with spina bifida become aware of their previously unrecognized strengths and utilizing them in their studies, work, and hobbies, they can increase their social interest, become empowered, increase their sense of happiness, and live life to their fullest.

Mental health, Spina bifida, Psychosocial perspective, Strengths, Happiness