Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:37:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ligia Baruch de Figueiredo.pdf: 719273 bytes, checksum: fdcc684f5b483f711b64eca4d26287c6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-10-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work aims to understand beliefs, expectations and behaviors of women that lived long-standing marital sexuality and moved to post-marital sex. It is a qualitative research based on studies about gender, a concept formulated during the 70s in order to enlighten normative speeches that depart from anatomical differences between male and female to justify power inequalities between men and women. Five semi-driven interviews were conducted, involving women ranging from 46 to 70 years, at least 2 years divorced, since marriages standing for at least 20 years. Results showed interviewed women experiencing post-divorce new forms of sexual relationship. And even when expectations included finding a future partner, these women quite frequently indulged in sexual satisfaction by experiencing forms of relationship not even imagined at the time when their mothers lived. These changes may benefit men and women that by questioning beliefs and behaviors thought as typically masculine, become more reflexive and flexible / Este trabalho teve como objetivo compreender as mudanças nas crenças, expectativas e comportamentos de mulheres que viveram casamentos de longa duração e passaram pela transição de uma sexualidade conjugal para uma sexualidade pós-conjugal. Tratou-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa fundamentada nos estudos sobre gênero, conceito formulado na década de 1970 para tornar conscientes os discursos normativos que naturalizam as diferenças entre homens e mulheres, utilizando-se das características anatômicas entre os sexos para justificar as desigualdades de poder entre eles. Foram realizadas entrevistas semi-dirigidas com cinco mulheres entre 46 e 70 anos, divorciadas há mais de dois anos e que estiveram casadas por pelo menos vinte anos. Os resultados mostraram que as mulheres entrevistadas estão experimentando novas formas de relacionamento pós-separação. E mesmo quando as expectativas em relação ao futuro incluem encontrar um companheiro, na maior parte das vezes, essas mulheres desvinculam a satisfação sexual do apaixonamento e se permitem experimentações nos relacionamentos sexuais inimagináveis no tempo de suas mães. Estas transformações podem beneficiar homens e mulheres que, ao questionarem às crenças e comportamentos que são tidos como tipicamente masculinos ou femininos, se tornam mais reflexivos e flexíveis

The thesis is concerned with relationships between different conceptualizations and understandings of gender mainstreaming in Oxfam GB during 2001-2006 and focuses on two sites of policy and practice: Oxfam House and an Oxfam project in Cambodia. Drawing on anthropology of development literature, I observe that while the mainstreaming strategy was becoming further embedded in the organisation, it also evolved differently in each research site. Gender policy and practice were not necessarily linked, and policy did not drive practice; different drivers were at play. In Oxfam House, understandings of gender mainstreaming among senior managers were informed by perennial feedback that the organisation's gender work was wanting and perceptions that previous gender efforts were overly critical and uninspiring. These understandings influenced inter-related imperatives, pursued by senior managers, of assuming organisational leadership for gender and making “gender accessible”. Both of these contributed to rendering the promotion of gender equality a contested process. In contrast, the project case study in Cambodia, which Oxfam viewed as a “successful” gender mainstreamed model of community-based disaster management, demonstrates a process of taking on gender issues characterised by mutual benefit and reciprocity. Regional gender advisors and project staff needed to work together to secure their places in Aidland. Unlike the drivers of policy in Oxfam House, the drivers of gender mainstreaming practice were the demands and uncertainties of Aidland and, in the light of these, the maintenance of project relations and reproduction of “success”. They also concerned localised contingencies of social relations of gender and relations of aid. I conclude that while gender mainstreaming policy and practice are connected by formal organisational structures, they can also be unrelated due to different micro politics within these respective sites and, relatedly, from the varying degrees of autonomous decision making exercised by Oxfam staff and their understandings of gender and their particular interests.

Study Objectives: Nocturnal awakenings may constitute a unique risk for falls among older adults. We describe differences in gait and balance between presleep and midsleep testing, and whether changes in the lighting environment during the midsleep testing further affect gait and balance. Methods: Twenty-one healthy, late middle-aged and older (64.7 ± 8.0 y) adults participated in this repeated-measures design consisting of four overnight laboratory stays. Each night, participants completed baseline visual acuity, gait, and balance testing. After a 2-h sleep opportunity, they were awakened for 13 min into one of four lighting conditions: very dim white light (< 0.5 lux); dim white light (∼28.0 lux); dim orange light (∼28.0 lux); and white room-level light (∼200 lux). During this awakening, participants completed the same sequence of testing as at baseline. Results: Low-contrast visual acuity significantly decreased with decreasing illuminance conditions (F(3,45) = 98.26, p < 0.001). Our a priori hypothesis was confirmed in that variation in stride velocity and center of pressure path length were significantly worse during the mid-sleep awakening compared to presleep baseline. Lighting conditions during the awakening, however, did not influence these parameters. In exploratory analyses, we found that over one-third of the tested gait and balance parameters were significantly worse at the midsleep awakening as compared to baseline (p < 0.05), and nearly one-quarter had medium to large effect sizes (Cohen d ≥ 0.5; r ≥ 0.3). Conclusions: Balance and gait are impaired during midsleep awakenings among healthy, late middle-aged and older adults. This impairment is not ameliorated by exposure to room lighting, when compared to dim lights.

Obesity and overweight issues are nationally recognized crises for African American women. A noteworthy gap remains in the literature regarding this population's experiences with excessive weight, specifically, the role of culture and social support networks on their experience with being overweight. Without an understanding of the experience and meaning of being overweight for African American women, physicians and clinicians will not be able to fully support African American women in their weight loss journeys. Using the social learning theory as a framework, the purpose of this phenomenological research study was to explore experiences of obese or overweight middle-aged African American women while discovering the roles of culture and social support network in those experiences. Twelve women participated in individual, semi-structured interviews with the researcher. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and thematically analyzed. Findings showed that emotional eating and over-indulgence contributed to their obesity; social support networks supported their behaviors in attempts to be supportive and non-judgmental and eating was a primary feature of social interactions and cultural events. Their stories showed how important eating was to African American women's relationships and social interactions and how the social environment may be contributing to the crisis of obesity in this population. This study's results could be used to help promote positive social change in this population by helping African American women develop weight management programs that also support their lifestyle and cultural focus on food. Furthermore, examining how to engage socially and balance the social elements with proper eating should be the focus of future research.

This study was a follow-up of the Christiansen study which was completed in 1967. Dr. Christiansen's 26 subjects ranged in age from 33 to 60 years. Ten were designated as controls and the other 16 were placed on a high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) diet for a period of 26 weeks . The purpose of doing a follow-up was to determine what effect the study had on present dietary patterns, serum lipid levels and rate of erythrocyte hemolysis. Eighteen of the original subjects participated in this study. Of these 18, nine were from the control group and nine were from the experimental group. There were nine women and nine men. The serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, rate of erythrocyte hemolysis and blood pressure reading were determined. General health status and dietary pattern were determined through the use of a questionnaire. The results of the questionnaire indicate that the experimental diet of the original study had influenced the present diet of the study's subjects. The use of vegetable oils was increased and the consumption of eggs and whole milk was decreased. The study had little effect on the consumption of beef, pork, fish and chicken. The rate of erythrocyte hemolysis was greater for the control group (non-instructed) than for the experimental group (instructed). The mean values were 12. 65 and 9. 49 percent, respectively. The results indicate that there was no depletion of tocopherol levels due to continued use of PUFA. Serum triglyceride levels varied from 60 to 72 mg percent. Mean values for men were slightly higher than for the women. The means for the instructed and non-instructed groups were almost the same (6 7. 2 and 6 7. 0 mg percent, respectively). The cholesterol values ranged from 139 to 252 mg percent. The mean values were close to those at the end of the previous study (192 and 188 mg percent, respectively). There was no correlation between cholesterol values and the rate of erythrocyte hemolysis or triglyceride values.

No description available.

The suicide rate in Hong Kong has been increasing since 1997, and the suicide rate among the 30-49-year-olds has increased from 294 in 1996, to 484 in 2003, surging about 65% since 1996. Despite the fact that an increasing trend had been observed, the characteristics of suicides among this age group were not known because no empirical research had been conducted among this age group in Hong Kong. The present study is the first psychological autopsy study conducted on the 30-49 age group in a Chinese society. The aims of this study were to identify and examine the magnitude of the risk factors of middle-aged suicide among the Hong Kong citizens, to determine the similarities and applicability of Western findings into local situation, and to recommend culturally specific evidence-based preventive and intervention strategies. These findings suggest that there are more commonalities than differences in risk factors for suicide found in other psychological autopsy studies; however, the magnitude of some of these identified risk factors were inconsistent with suicide research conducted in other countries. Given the multi-faceted and distinctive nature of middle-age suicide in Hong Kong, a public health approach of suicide prevention strategy, which targets both individuals and the population, is considered to be appropriate than the clinical approach in order to reduce larger population developing greater suicidal risk.

Postmenopausat women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have been reported to be stronger when compared to women who are not using HRT. The first goal of this study was to investigate whether muscle morphology was altered in women who use HRT when compared to women who do not use HAT. In addition, this study examined the combined effects of a 6-month moderate-intensity strength training (ST) routine and HRT on the neuromuscular system of early postmenopausal women. Because not all the women completed the ST, this study was separated into two separate analyses, baseline (n=17; 7 HRT, 10 non-HRT) and training (n=14; 6 HRT, 8 non-HRT). ST consisted of two exercises (squat and dead lift), two days a week, for 6-months. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were taken at baseline and 6-months after exercise training. Biopsy samples were sectioned and analyzed histochemically for muscle fiber type and fiber cross-sectional area (CSA). In addition, voluntary knee extension strength was assessed at 30��/sec using an isokinetic dynamometer at these two time points. At baseline there were no significant differences in knee extensor strength between groups (HRT: 443 �� 121 N, non-HRT: 490 �� 106 N). Regardless of hormone status, Type I fibers were significantly larger (p=.005) in GSA (Type I=3705 �� 877��m��; Type II=2790 �� 756��m��). However, there were significantly more Type II fibers (p<.0001) (61.5 �� 7.9% of total) and consequently, Type II fibers occupied significantly more total fiber area p=.00l2) (Type I=45.3 �� 7.4%; Type II=54.7 �� 7.4%). No significant differences were found in the fiber type distributions of the HAT (37.9 �� 2.5% Type I, 62.1 �� 2.5% Type II) and non-HRT (38.9 �� 2.9% Type I, 61.1 �� 2.9% Type II) groups. There were no significant differences in fiber CSA of Type I fibers (HRT: 3615 �� 886 ��m��, non-HRT: 3769 �� 912 ��m��) or Type II fibers (HRT: 2770 �� 722 ��m��, non-HRT: 2849 �� 804 ��m��) obtained from the two groups. Six months of ST had no effect on the strength, fiber CSA, and fiber type distribution for HRT and non-HRT subjects. These results suggest that HRT does not alter muscle strength, fiber type distribution, and fiber CSA in early postmenopausal women. / Graduation date: 2003

In order to develop effective interventions designed to encourage more middle-aged individuals to engage in regular exercise, there is a need to further understand the mechanisms involved in the decision to exercise. One appropriate conceptual framework involves future-oriented self-conceptions, or possible selves (Markus & Nurius, 1986). Possible selves, both hoped-for and feared, have been shown to vary over the lifespan in content and number (Cross & Markus, 1991), and to be predictive of future health behaviors (Hooker & Kaus, 1992,1994). The role of possible selves in the exercise context can be explored using the Stage of Change Model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983), which identifies participation as a process consisting of five identifiable stages. The purpose of this study was to examine the number and content of possible selves generated by individuals across stages of exercise behavior, in order to determine whether possible selves can differentiate those stages and be predictive of exercise-related behavior. Participants were 204 middle-aged women employed at a university in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Results indicated that differences in the number and content of open-ended possible selves across stage of exercise were relatively few, although differences that did exist held potential for future interventions. Of particular interest was the significant finding of possible selves related to body image, which differed by stage for both hoped-for and feared selves. Responses to focused possible selves directly related to exercise behavior showed a number of differences between stage of exercise, providing support for previous literature as well as for the methodology employed in the present study. Individuals whose self-efficacy and outcome expectancy associated with a particular possible self related to exercise was high, were most likely to engage in exercise behavior. Finally, when the strongest predictor of exercise behavior was combined with exercise self-efficacy, the variance accounted for by the possible self was negligible. Findings support the conclusion that possible selves are worthy of future research in the exercise domain, including the role of possible selves as an antecedent to exercise self-efficacy. Results are discussed in terms of past research, practical applications, and future research directions. / Graduation date: 1998

Syftet med forskningsrapporten är att undersöka hur kvinnor över femtio år använder en universitetsutbildning i formandet av sin framtidsstrategi. För att besvara våra forskningsfrågor har vi genomfört både en kvantitativ och en kvalitativ undersökning. Den kvantitativa undersökningen utgjordes av en postenkät som sändes till 30 kvinnor vid Linköpings universitet. Den kvalitativa metoden bestod av tre intervjuer med slumpmässigt utvalda respondenter från enkäten. Slutsatserna är baserade på våra resultat från enkäterna och intervjuerna samt den litteratur vi valt med anknytning till rapporten. Litteraturen berör bland annat begreppet livslångt lärande, som genom sin koppling till både arbete och utbildning fått en central roll i rapporten som helhet. Resultaten visar att önskan om utveckling, både gällande den yrkesmässiga kompetensen och på det personliga planet, har varit viktiga faktorer för beslutet att påbörja studier. Kvinnornas syn på mål och möjligheter handlar om att främja personlig utveckling, där nya utmaningar eller möjligheten till andra arbetssätt kan öka livskvaliteten. Ytterligare en slutsats som vi dragit är att man studerar på högskolan för att få möjlighet att stärka sin position på arbetsmarknaden. / The purpose of this research report is to examine how women, 50 years old or more, use their university education in establishing their future strategy. To answer our research question both quantitative and qualitative surveys were made. The qualitative method consisted of a questionnaire sent out to 30 women at Linköping university. The qualitative method consisted of three interviews with randomly selected women from the formerly mentioned group of responders. The conclusions are based upon the results from the questionnaries and the interviews, as well as the literature chosen for this research report. The literature deals with concepts such as lifelong learning. Being closely related to both work and education, lifelong learning became a key role for this study as a whole. The results show that the urge for development, both regarding professional competence and that of a personal level, has been an important factor in the process to start studying. The women´s views on the objectives and possibilities are about fostering personal growth, where new challenges or the alternative way of working can enchance life quality. Another conclusion is that by studying at the university the number of work options is increased. Thus the women strengthen their position in the labour market.