Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2009. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-99). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Sabe-se que é crescente a quantidade de pessoas idosas, na sociedade atual e, especialmente, de mulheres idosas, dado que a expectativa de vida é mais alta no sexo feminino. Participaram deste estudo 08 mulheres idosas, na faixa etária entre 74 e 93 anos, de padrão sócio-econômico médio ou alto, que residem em um lar para essa população, situado na cidade de Recife. Objetivou-se investigar os papéis que a mulher idosa vivenciou ao longo do ciclo vital da família. Realizaram-se entrevistas individuais, que foram gravadas e transcritas, sendo as respostas categorizadas por temas afins e, em seguida, construiram-se categorias de análise, baseando-se na Análise Temática. Os dados apontam que as idosas moldaram-se aos padrões estabelecidos pela sociedade do século XX, já que eram responsáveis pelos afazeres domésticos, bem-estar dos filhos e do esposo; abandonavam a vida profissional quando se casavam ou chegavam os filhos; adotavam um comportamento de subordinação, e seus maridos assumiam o papel de provedores, enfim, seguiam o modelo da família tradicional. Porém, duas idosas infringiram esses comportamentos ditados pela conjuntura social da época, o que mostra o estabelecimento de diferenças e indica os primórdios da evolução social da mulher. As participantes percebem que os idosos antigamente eram valorizados pela família e respeitados pela sociedade, apesar da escassez de leis que os protegessem. Hoje, elas afirmam que o tratamento dispensado pelo meio social e familiar permanece igual; também, perceberam seu relacionamento familiar como satisfatório. Salienta-se que todas as idosas assumiram os papéis de mãe, avó e, algumas, o de bisavó. Constata-se a importância dessas idosas na família, através desses papéis exercidos durante o Ciclo Vital, seja como cuidadoras e educadoras, seja como suporte afetivo e financeiro. Espera-se que este estudo contribua para o incremento de pesquisas acerca dos papéis vivenciados pela mulher, colabore com a bibliografia atual sobre o tema e proporcione uma reflexão sobre a velhice com o intuito de subsidiar projetos de melhoria da qualidade de vida para a mulher idosa / It is known that the number of old people is growing nowadays and, especially, that of old women due to the fact that life expectancy is higher among females. The 08 women that took part in this study are between 74 and 93 years old, belong to middle and upper class and live in a residential home for the elderly, placed in the Brazilian city of Recife. The aim of this work is to investigate the roles played by these women in the family life cycle. It has been possible thanks to the individual interviews that were recorded and transcribed in order to classify them according to the subjects first and then according to the categories of analysis, based on the Thematic Analysis. Collected data point out that these old women adjusted themselves to the standards of the twentieth century society. They were responsible for the housework and well-being of their children and husbands and gave up professional life when got married or had children. They adopted a subordinated behaviour and their husbands played the role of suppliers, that is, they followed the traditional family model. Nevertheless, two old women did not achieve the standards dictated by the social circumstances of that time. This fact points out the first steps forward the social evolution of women. The eight participants think that in the past old people were appreciated by their families and respected by society, despite the few laws existing to protect them. Today, they say the treatment given to them by social and family circles has not changed. However, they consider their family relationships to be satisfactory. It is important to say that the whole group of old women participating on this work played the roles of mother and grandmother and, some of them, great-grandmother. It must be highlighted the importance of these women in their families through the roles played during the life cycle, taking care and educating their relatives or giving affective and financial support. This work is expected to contribute to the increase of researches about the roles played by women during their lives and to contribute to the current bibliography about this subject. Finally, it is expected that this work make people reflect on old age so as to subsidize projects to improve the quality of life of old women

This descriptive correlational study was designed to increase the knowledge needed to understand the relationship among health-related variables that facilitate or sustain health-promoting behaviours of midlife women. Specifically, this study investigated the relationship among self-esteem, health locus of control, and health-promoting behaviours of women in this age group. Pender's (1982) original Health Promotion Model provided the theoretical framework to structure this study. The sample included 84 midlife women volunteers who were current or prospective members of a Vancouver-based social networking group for mature women. Data were collected using the Rosenberg (1965) Self-Esteem Scale, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale -Form A, and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's product-moment correlations, and stepwise multiple regression. Three significant predictors, self-esteem, chance health locus of control, and powerful others health locus of control, explained 24.5% of the variance for engaging in health-promoting behaviours. The study findings supported Pender's Model which postulated that individual perceptions of self-esteem and health locus of control, among other personal factors, influence one's likelihood of engaging in health-promoting behaviours. The findings also supported Pender's contention that selected demographic variables, as modifying variables, have an impact on health-promoting behaviours. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

Introduction: HIV remains a leading cause of death globally, with over two-thirds of the cases in sub-Saharan Africa. Zimbabwe, a country located in East Africa, part of Sub-Saharan Africa, ranks in the top five countries with the highest prevalence of HIV in Africa (HIV prevalence in Zimbabwe estimated as 21.4% in 2019). Previous studies demonstrated HIV testing prevalence of 66.9% in East Africa. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of HIV testing amongst women of reproductive age in Zimbabwe, alongside some predictors of HIV testing amongst this population. Methods: Cross-sectional study design using the 2015 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data for women aged 15-49. The prevalence of HIV testing as the outcome variable and the highest educational level, age at first sex, current marital status, and condom use as the predictor variables of interest were assessed. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percents) and test of significance (using Chi-squared test)were conducted. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were completed to assess for the independent relationship between each predictor variable and HIV testing prevalence and, all predictor variables and HIV testing prevalence, respectively. Odds ratio estimates, 95% confidence intervals and p-values werereported. All analyses were performed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) version 9.4. The initial sample size included 9955 women. However, the effective sample size used in the statistical analysis was 7130 after accounting for missing variables. Results: About 9 in 10 women in the sample had ever been tested for HIV. Secondary education was the most prevalent highest level of education (64%). About 67% women had their first sex at age 15-19; peak incidence seen at ages 17 and 18 (15.3%). Multivariate analysis showed statistically significant associations between all independent variables and HIV testing (P-value Conclusion: Increasing highest educational level, age at first sex and condom use in Zimbabwe would likely increase the prevalence of HIV testing further. Focused education on the importance of HIV testing before the age of 15 will be beneficial in ensuring HIV testing as soon as sexual intercourse is established. Policy efforts are needed to address these HIV testing predictors. Causality is not implied.

Not a lot of research has been done on the middle age years despite this being a pivotal time for adults. Women at this stage of their lives undergo many changes such as perimenopause to complete menopause, having to take care of aging parents, and losing a spouse. Additionally, women tend to seek other women for help and support and form a community that is bound by common concerns and experiences. This qualitative case study explored how a group of middle-aged women experienced life changing events and how their faith and community enabled them to overcome the challenges those incidents brought to their lives. This study also looked into other factors that contributed to their being able to confront and overcome the challenges from those experiences . Thirteen women from one faith community in Manila, Philippines were interviewed individually to find answers to the following research questions: 1. How do middle-aged women describe the life-changing event they have experienced? 2. What approach(es) do middle-aged women take when they are undergoing a life changing event so they can cope with the situation they are experiencing? 3. In what ways does the faith community help the women in the group cope with the life changing event? 4. What other factors may influence these women’s ability to copy with the life changing events they face? Another five women from a different faith community were engaged in a focus group discussion to corroborate the following findings from the individual interviews: 1. Unanticipated events were often challenging and devastating and had a major impact on the lives of these middle-aged women. Additionally, those events did not happen in isolation but, rather, led to other events that were even more lifechanging. 2. When confronted with an unexpected, life-changing event, these middle-aged women were faced with a myriad of feelings and emotions that they examined, evaluated and shared with people they trusted. They also handled their own situation by seeking help from others. 3. Support was a critical element in the ability of these middle-aged women to confront and overcome a devastating transition event. Their faith community offered various types of support during most of the events. 4. The faith of middle-aged women was a significant factor in confronting and overcoming those unexpected events. The women believed their faith made them stronger and made them determined to prevail over the circumstances of the event. This study concluded the following: 1. Middle-aged women go through a variety of highly impactful transitions and their reactions to the event vary from one woman to another depending on the context in which it occurs and the impact on the woman’s life. The manner in which a woman in this age range adapts to the transition event will predict how they are able to cope with the impact of the event on their lives. 2. Support provided by the network built by a woman over her lifetime is essential in confronting and overcoming challenges posed by a transition event. Support can come in different forms and is appreciated by the women. That support enables them to confront, overcome and adapt to the transition event. 3. The women’s religious beliefs are critical to recovery and growth of these middle-aged women and sustain them as they are adapting to their transition events.

This study developed and tested a model of midlife women's attainments, commitments and satisfactions under differing conditions of marriage and parenthood. The model proposed that life satisfaction for women is a function of three sets of influences: (1) adult status attainments, (2) home and work commitments, and (3) home and work satisfactions. These three sets of influences, in turn, are a function of three predetermined and correlated conditions: (1) health, (2) early childhood status and (3) educational attainment. The model was developed using data from a cohort of midlife women drawn from the National Survey of Families and Households. The model was then tested on subsamples from that cohort using LISREL 7. Tests of the model revealed both similarities and differences in the processes of attainment of life satisfaction for all midlife women, for those with and without husbands, and for those with and without children. In tests of the individual models, health and satisfaction with one's role at home were the primary factors influencing life satisfaction for women. Work commitment was also a significant, and negative, predictor. Tests of the model across stacked groups, however, failed to clarify specific structural differences due to marital or parental status. For women with and without husbands, differences in both the measurement and structural models across the groups were found to be statistically insignificant. For women with and without children, however, cross-group comparisons revealed significant differences in the measurement and structural models. Because of measurement differences, however, even statistically significant structural differences could not be considered meaningful estimates of variance in patterns of influence across the groups. This study provides only a beginning toward understanding the complex relations among midlife women's attainments, commitments and satisfactions. The proposed model fits the data better for women with husbands and for women without children than for other individually or jointly tested samples. Family formation appears to influence the process of attainments, commitments and satisfactions, but additional research is needed to continue to unravel the complexities of interrelationship. Yet, preliminary conclusions remind counselors and policymakers that traditional conceptions of status attainments are not the only considerations for career or life planning for women. / Ph. D.

Research on midlife women provided evidence of negative perceptions of and reactions to aging and its accompanying physiological and emotional changes. Previous investigations revealed a plethora of information about midlife physiological changes, but provided little other information pertinent to understanding perceptions of body image among middle-aged women. The purpose of this study was to examine a neglected population, middle-aged women, using an in-depth concept of body image. Interviews were conducted with 40 randomly selected middle-aged women ranging in age from 35-55 years. The body image survey consisted of instruments to assess the following concepts: physiological changes; body appearance; dissatisfactions and satisfactions about health, fitness, and physical appearance; others' appraisals of health, fitness, and physical appearance; and self-esteem. The conclusive finding from the multiple regression analysis was that there were no significant relationships between body image and self-esteem among middle-aged women. / M.S.

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

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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