This study hypothesized body weight and eating patterns to be important discriminators of psychological characteristics among eating disordered groups. A total of 146 bulimic and non-bulimic women from underweight (anorexic), normal weight, and overweight (obese) categories were examined. Based upon the theoretical and research literature reviewed, this study hypothesized locus of control, personal potency, self-esteem, and psychopathology to be central psychological characteristics in anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and obesity. These variables were measured by Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, the Semantic Differential Potency Scale, Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, respectively. The relative importance of these variables in the disorders was also addressed. Results showed women in the eating disordered groups examined to demonstrate the following psychological characteristics: (1) Non-bulimic anorexics--an external locus of control, low self-esteem, and hysteria; (2) Bulimic anorexics--the greatest external locus of control, the lowest self-esteem, psychopathic deviance, hysteria, thought disorder, depression, a preoccupation with somatic concerns, and hypofemininity; (3) Normal weight bulimics--an external locus of control, low self-esteem, psychopathic deviance, hysteria, thought disorder, and depression; (4) Non-bulimic obese--low self-esteem; and (5) Bulimic obese--low self-esteem, an external locus of control, thought disorder and depression. The primary conclusion drawn from this study is that bulimia is a better predictor of the psychological characteristics than body weight. Bulimia, across all weight categories, was associated with an external locus of control, low self-esteem, psychopathic deviance, hysteria, thought disorder, and depression. That there was little variability in personality characteristics associated with bulimia across weight categories emphasized the stability of the symptom constellation associated with this disorder. This study supported the view of the normal weight bulimic as psychologically similar to the bulimic anorexic. This study also supported the stance that simple obesity does not represent a unitary psychological disorder.

published_or_final_version / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

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published_or_final_version / Sports Science / Master / Master of Science in Sports Science

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This study was conducted to determine whether or not a significant difference exists in pregnant women among those receiving therapeutic touch, mock therapeutic touch, or no touch on measurements of anxiety and well-being. Thirty third trimester primigravida subjects were tested pre- and postintervention using the State-Anxiety Inventory and a Well-Being Visual Analog; heart and respiratory rates were monitored before, during, and after the treatment. No significant differences were found using analysis of covariance with the pre-test scores as the covariate. The findings indicate that therapeutic touch may not be useful in reducing state anxiety or enhancing subjective well-being in pregnancy. Study limitations include a small sample size, use of an instrument without established reliability and validity, and a study environment that may have increased anxiety.

The primary aim of the present study was to compare mothers' reactions to obstetrical interventions and procedures and obstetricians' perceptions of these. The sample population consisted of one hundred and forty seven white, married, English-speaking mothers and a group of fifty three obstetricians practising in trie Johannesburg area. Questionnaires, developed for both groups, were administered postally to obstetricians and in hospital within the first post-partum week to mothers. Perceptions of interventions occurring in the ante-natal period and during the three stages of labour were explored. Reactions to psycho-social and hospital procedures were also obtained. Median and modal ratings of these events were calculated for both samples. The data were analysed using the Median test to compare the groups and Fisher's exact probability test to determine significant differences. Using a significance level of one per cent, several significant findings emerged. Results suggested that, in general, obstetricians rated mothers' experiences more negatively than did the mothers themselves, These findings were discussed in the light of available research and literature in the area

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand, infulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. NOVEMBER, 1987 / The present study is set within the broad area of adult development and functioning. It is primarily located within the developmental theory of Erik Brikson, who described development, not only frem the perspective of the growing child, hut with the understanding ox the continuity of development over the entire life cycle (1878). As this represents m area of relatively recent concern, there are many gaps in the literature. A cognitive map in the fom of a hypothetical construct ten&ad the- Transitional Space was described and developed in this woi-k, to facilitate tha undetstartiing of both, individual and cduyle development and functioning. This hypothetical construct was based on Winnicott's (1971) original notion of transitional phenomena, which he located as being between inner and outer reality. The Transitional space may be briefly described as that part of the inner world that is projected outwards, and both reflects the internal frame of reference through which the perception of the world is filtered, as well as those aspects of hidden inner reality that are perceived by others as being "me". The Transitional Space comprises three aspects, namely: boundary quality, content, and size. Boundary quality of the Transitional Space reflects the ability of the individual for intimate contact, and id described in terms of the parameters of flexibility and permeability. The content of the Transitional -pace is described as that aspect that is concerned with ego identity (Erikson 1968). Finally, the aspect of the size of the Transitional space isNa reflection of progression along the continuum of ego development as operationalizud by Loevinyer et al (1970):. ” " ' As it has been found that systems are most accessible to observation and study during periods of change, it was decided to locate the study at a point of developmental change or crisis. The period selected for investigation was the tisite around the birth of the first child, and thus the transition to parenthood. In response to evidence of a need in the literature, a model was derived to both describe and explain the changes over this period. The model of change was based on the findings of. Janis (1958), in terms of preparation for change, and regression in the face of stress, as well as the theory of "romantic solutions" to transitional periods (Becker, 1973) and the cyclicity of the romantic experience (Livingston, 1980). The model was integrated with tije sociological model of LaRossa and laRossa (1981), to form a more canprehensive description and explanation of the process of the ■ transition to parenthood. ; The first aim in the study was to describe and predict adult and couple functioning on the basis of the model of thi Transitional Space, with special reference to the changepoint of the transition to

by Lu Li-Na. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 37-39). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS --- p.v / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vi / CHAPTERS / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.0 --- Overview --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Research Objective --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Outline of this Study --- p.3 / Chapter II. --- LITERATURE REVIEW AND MODEL DEVELOPMENT --- p.4 / Chapter 2.0 --- Overview --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1 --- Previous Research --- p.4 / Chapter 2.2 --- Conceptual Framework --- p.6 / Chapter 2.3 --- Conceptual Model --- p.8 / Chapter 2.4 --- Hypotheses --- p.10 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- The Effect of Attitude toward Gift Receiving on Intention to Reciprocate --- p.10 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- "The Effects of Closeness, Usefulness, and Occasion on Attitude toward Gift Receiving" --- p.11 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- The Effect of Positive Feelings on Attitude toward Gift Receiving --- p.12 / Chapter III. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.14 / Chapter 3.0 --- Overview --- p.14 / Chapter 3.1 --- Research Design --- p.14 / Chapter 3.2 --- The Sample and the Sampling Procedures --- p.15 / Chapter 3.3 --- Data Collection Procedures --- p.15 / Chapter 3.4 --- Manipulations --- p.16 / Chapter 3.5 --- Operationalization of Constructs --- p.18 / Chapter 3.6 --- Data Analysis --- p.19 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Manipulation Check --- p.19 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Structural Equation Modeling --- p.20 / Chapter 3.7 --- Research Activities --- p.21 / Chapter 3.7.1 --- In-Depth Personal Interviews --- p.21 / Chapter 3.7.1.1 --- Objective of In-Depth Personal Interviews --- p.21 / Chapter 3.7.1.2 --- Method of In-Depth Personal Interviews --- p.22 / Chapter 3.7.1.3 --- Results of In-Depth Personal Interviews --- p.22 / Chapter 3.7.2 --- Preliminary Survey on Useful Gifts --- p.23 / Chapter 3.7.2.1 --- Objective of Preliminary Survey on Useful Gifts --- p.23 / Chapter 3.7.2.2 --- Method of Preliminary Survey on Useful Gifts --- p.23 / Chapter 3.7.2.3 --- Results of Preliminary Survey on Useful Gifts --- p.24 / Chapter 3.8 --- Pretest --- p.24 / Chapter IV. --- FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS --- p.26 / Chapter 4.0 --- Overview --- p.26 / Chapter 4.1 --- Manipulation Check --- p.26 / Chapter 4.2 --- Structural Equation Modeling Results --- p.27 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Measurement Model Results --- p.27 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Structural Model Results --- p.30 / Chapter V. --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.33 / Chapter 5.0 --- Overview --- p.33 / Chapter 5.1 --- Discussion --- p.33 / Chapter 5.2 --- Managerial Implications --- p.34 / Chapter 5.3 --- Limitations --- p.35 / Chapter 5.4 --- Future Research Directions --- p.36 / REFERENCE --- p.37 / Books --- p.37 / Periodicals --- p.38 / APPENDIX --- p.40 / Chapter 1. --- Scenarios --- p.40 / Chapter 2. --- Questionnaire Outline --- p.45 / Chapter 3. --- Personal Interviews Script for Gift Receiving --- p.46 / Chapter 4. --- Preliminary Survey on Useful Gifts --- p.77