<p> This study is aimed at exploring a better understanding of gender-biased context in digital games. Based upon a female analysis of <i>Tomb Raider </i> series, this study attempts to compare the appearance and figure of female characters in video games by researching the representative game. A focus group with a group of women from different countries has been used to better understand how women feel and react to female images in the video game <i>Tomb Raider</i> and figure out how female protagonist Lara Croft changed in the video game. The thesis attempts to offer a better understanding of biased context in video games and to compare differences in dressed figures of female characters through the <i>Tomb Raider</i> series. From this, the sexualization of female figures and their images of power has positively changed during last two decades. Ultimately, the connotation of this thesis is to discuss the possibilities of negative effects on audiences in digital games, typically for the young generation.</p><p>

<p> This study was designed to investigate carbohydrate supplementation during cheerleading training and its effect on performance. Seventeen participants in four trials; one to gather anthropometric data and 1-repetition maximums, one familiarization trial, a carbohydrate trial, and a placebo trial. The exercises used were power snatches from a hang position, push jerks, front squats, and box squats. The exercises most mimicked a standard strength and conditioning practice for cheerleaders. Performance was measured by calculating the difference between pre- and post-training values in vertical jump repetitions, peak power, average power, peak velocity, and average velocity in a power snatch, and a 200-m shuttle sprint. Performance values for carbohydrate and placebo trials were analyzed using a paired sample t-test, which found no significant difference between the carbohydrate and placebo trials. </p><p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to determine if the strength and range of motion (ROM) of the calf, ankle and/or foot are related to the presence of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) in female athletes. A secondary analysis examined the efficacy of lower leg and/or ankle strengthening and stretching exercises on the presence and treatment of MTSS. The participants were measured for isometric strength of the dorsiflexors, plantarflexors, invertors and evertors, passive and active dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion and eversion ROM, anterior drawer test and weight-bearing lunge test. </p><p> Significant differences between the participants with and without MTSS were tested using two sample independent <i>t</i>-tests for the continuous variables and chi-squares for the categorical variables. Two-way ANOVA was used for the secondary analysis. No statistically significant results were found for the secondary analysis due to the sample size; however, the results of the <i>t</i>-tests and chi-squares showed a significant difference passive plantarflexion ROM, weigh<i>t</i>-bearing lunge test, Body Mass Index (BMI), sport and semesters playing at the collegiate level between participants without MTSS versus with MTSS. This investigation suggests that restricted dorsiflexion, increased plantarflexion, high BMI, type of sports and semesters playing at the collegiate level may be associated to the presence of MTSS in female athletes.</p><p>

<p> This study follows a year of mixed methods research that was conducted in partnership with Yoga Behind Bars and the Washington State Department of Corrections. The following study examines the utilization of yoga practices and observed trends with female inmates. While past research has produced groundbreaking work regarding the positive impact of inmate yoga practice and the noted decrease in recidivism rates and prison community conflicts (Bhushan, 1998; Landau &amp; Gross, 2008; Rucker, 2005), the nature of perceived personal transformation for participants and its practical programmatic implications have not been extensively researched, particularly in the case of a female population. </p><p> This longitudinal study employed a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative journal entries. Results suggest that after attending five or more classes, student focus shifts from the physical benefits of the yoga practice to the practical application and improvement of interpersonal relationships, including improved interactions with corrections officers.</p><p>

abstract: Athletes and sports seem impervious to criticism. Sports is one of the most popular forms of entertainment within popular culture. Since popular culture is one of the dominant forms of education, it is important to analyze and recognize the ideologies present. How do the images and portrayals of professional athletes in still images and video endorsements reflect and perpetuate hegemonic ideologies of race and gender? How do these portrayals intersect with issues of justice and representation? By using a cultural studies framework with emphasis on representation of race and gender in popular culture, an analysis of the representation of seven athletes in advertising for endorsements was conducted. The seven athletes were chosen based on name-recognition, popularity, success in their sport, and a need for a diversity of races and gender. Using semiotics, the advertisements were coded and themes were presented. Several themes presented in the advertisements: Including (1) white female athletes are presented as sexualized objects, (2) black female athletes are represented using masculine traits, (3) white male athletes are normalized, and (4) black male athletes are presented as successful because of their bodies. These representations are harmful because they do little to nothing to change dominant ideologies. The representation of athletes in advertising reinforce hetero-patriarchal ideologies of race and gender. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Justice Studies 2016

<p> Male childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a traumatic experience that is prevalent, under-reported, and under-treated. CSA leaves males with feelings of shame, low self-esteem, and interpersonal problems, which put them at risk of developing mental health disorders that persist into adulthood. Although expressive arts therapy has been used as a treatment for trauma in children and adolescents, existing literature on the use of expressive arts with adult CSA survivors is limited to female survivors. The current study aims to explore the experiences of male CSA survivors who have participated in expressive arts therapy, including the effects that expressive arts has on their sense of self, relationships, and trauma symptoms. Participants (<i>N</i> = 8) were recruited from the Greater Los Angeles area, and included in the study if they were male CSA survivors and had previously been in expressive arts therapy. A mixed-methods approach was used, using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) as the primary research approach, which generated emergent themes that were supported with concurrent measures, including the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40 and a demographics measure. Results suggested that male survivors perceived expressive arts to be a positive experience and useful tool in the therapeutic process. The study provided exploratory findings on the use of expressive arts as a way for male survivors to release emotions, find their voice, rediscover their self, reconnect interpersonally with others, and facilitate a sense of empowerment. Results also suggested that male survivors perceive judgment and limited art modalities to be negative experiences in expressive arts therapy. Since the sample included primarily ethnic minority men, this study also provided contributions to the literature on the use of expressive arts with ethnic minority male survivors. Due to these findings, it is recommended that further research be conducted on the use of expressive arts with male survivors.</p><p>

<p> Despite the growing body of research on the health of transgender individuals, there is still a paucity of literature on the gynecological health care needs of transmasculine individuals. Specifically, no studies have examined whether the Minority Stress Model can help explain cervical cancer screening behaviors among this population. Thirty-two qualitative interviews were conducted with transmasculine individuals (age range = 21-56; 78% White) as part of a larger study examining barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening among transmen. Using thematic analysis, results demonstrate that participants experienced various distal stressors, including gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination within health care settings relevant to cervical cancer screening and in general. Participants used several coping and social support resources, including calming and relaxation techniques, individual avoidance of cervical cancer screening, and group-level coping mechanisms and support. Participants also discussed proximal stressors, including experiences of rejection and concealment, as well as health issues that affected their cervical cancer screening behaviors such as anxiety and physical abuse. Transmasculine people of color described their concerns related to provider competence around the intersection of transgender and racial/ethnic minority health issues, whereas several White transmasculine individuals discussed their perceptions of privilege when seeking gender-affirming health care. Higher socioeconomic status also often provided privileges when seeking health care. Analyses demonstrated the need for additional training for health care providers to address competency concerns around cervical cancer screening for transmasculine individuals, as well as changes in policies related to insurance coverage for gynecological services for this population.</p><p>

<p> This quantitative study examines how attachment and masculinity influence men in their participation in social groups and support or therapy groups as measured by the ECR-RS (Fraley, Brumbaugh, Heffernan, &amp; Vicary, 2011) and the MRNI-SF (Levant, Hall, &amp; Rankin, 2013). An online survey was given to 308 U.S. male adults asking questions about their attachment to their primary partner, their family of origin, social groups they participate in, support or therapy groups they participate in, and their endorsement of traditional masculine gender norms. The results from this study suggest the following: that men will have the same level of attachment to their family of origin as they do to both romantic dyadic relationships and to social groups they participate in, men are more securely attached the more they participate in groups, more traditionally masculine men are more drawn to competitive type social groups, more traditionally masculine men tend to have a more avoidant attachment to groups, and masculinity endorsement doesn&rsquo;t affect men&rsquo;s level of participation in groups. Keywords: men, attachment, masculinity, groups, gender, norms</p><p>

<p> This study had two purposes: to determine whether or not biological sex and/or gender identity impacted the way an individual would customize a video game avatar, and to focus on the components&mdash;length of time and number of customizations&mdash;of avatar design. In addition, an individual&rsquo;s experience with video games&mdash;novice, casual, and hardcore&mdash;was considered throughout this study to determine a relationship between individuals and their avatars. This study was based on previous studies about how gender identity impacted individuals in virtual worlds. The video game <i>Dark Souls </i> (2011) was used for the stimulus and the (30-item) Bem Sex Role Inventory&mdash;a scale that measures gender identity&mdash;was used as the measure. While the research questions provided resulted in no correlation between sex, gender, and player experience, further research is needed to determine how the evolution of the gaming community and the gaming industry continues to impact both players and gaming research.</p><p>

<p> In the latter half of the twentieth century and especially in the last twenty-five years, soccer has grown exponentially in the United States. Historically, the country has been lagging behind most of the world when it comes to adoption and diffusion of the sport; however, recent studies suggest that it has been a space of exceptionalism when incorporating the participation of women.</p><p> Studies on soccer from a geographic perspective are relatively isolated and demonstrate a tendency to favor male professional athletes. There is no similar research to examine the origins of female professional soccer players. This study will contribute to filling this identified gender gap in geographic sports studies. These previous studies on male professional athletes suggest that they can geographically originate from areas of lower socioeconomic standing. The findings from this study show a distinct contrast between male and female professional athlete origins.</p><p> Results reveal that the origins of most female professional players can be connected to suburbanized middle to upper middle class white communities close to major cities mainly in coastal regions. From a per capita perspective, the results also show that states in the West produce more players than states in the East. Socio-cultural perspectives explain these patterns, supporting a common hypothesis that most female professional soccer players in the USA are white and come from areas of relative affluence.</p><p>