This dissertation explores the artistic expressions of Native womanhood by Native women artists. The intention is to offer further examples of creative acts of resistance that strengthen Native identities, reinforce female empowerment, and reclaim voice, and art. This qualitative study utilized the narratives and the artwork of six Native women artists from diverse artistic practices and tribe/nation affiliations. Visual arts examples included in this study are digital images, muralism, Ledger art, beadworks, Navajo rugs, and Navajo jewelry. Through Kim Anderson's theoretical Native womanhood identity formation model adopted as framework for this study, the results revealed three emergent themes: cultural connections, motherhood, and nurturing the future. Native women artists lived experiences shaped their visual expressions, influencing their materials, approach, subject matter, intentions, motivation and state of mind. This dissertation discloses Native womanhood framework is supportive of visual expressions created by Native women.

In the current study, I examined the general sociocultural model of eating disorders that suggests that sociocultural pressures leads to internalization, which in turn leads to body dissatisfaction and ultimately disordered eating. Because I am testing this model with a sample of African American women, I also am including acculturation as a variable of interest. Specifically, I hypothesized that (a) the experience of more societal pressure to be thin will be related to greater internalization, (b) higher levels of acculturation will be related to greater internalization, (c) internalization of the thin ideal will be directly and positively related to body image concern, and (d) body image concern will be associated with higher levels of disordered eating. It was determined that there is a direct, negative relationship between Level of Identification with Culture of Origin and Internalization. Perceived Pressure was directly and positively related to both Internalization and Body Image Concerns. Body Concerns and Internalization were both directly and positively related to Disordered Eating. These findings suggest that although many of the same constructs related to disordered eating in other ethnic groups are also related to disordered eating among African American women, the relationships between the factors differs across racial/ethnic groups. This information can help clinicians and researchers to better treat and understand the nature of disordered eating behavior and correlates among African American women.

Suboptimal cardiovascular health among African American (AA) women contributes to high costs of care related to acute illness, chronic illness, and disability. Using the health promotion model, this needs assessment project examined risk factors that predispose adult AA women between the ages of 21 to 64 years of age to higher incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Seventy of the 300 charts that met the inclusion criteria (female AA patients, 21 to 64 years of age, receiving care in a community clinic in an urban city of Texas) were audited for this project. Descriptive analysis showed that 66% of the women did not have a diagnosis of CVD, 32% were noted as being at risk for CVD, and risk for diagnosis of CVD was not listed in 3% of the charts. The audit also showed that 7% of the AA women did not monitor their diet, 60% monitored their diet, and 33% lacked knowledge of heart healthy diet. Sixty-seven percent of charts audited noted a family history of CVD, 33% noted no family history of CVD, while 3% noted an unknown family history of CVD. The ages of the patients ranged from 21-64 (M = 24.9 years). Weight ranged from 104-225 lbs. (M = 172.5 lbs.) and height ranged between 52-73 inches (M = 61.13 inches). Body mass index (BMI) calculated showed 1.43% of the women were underweight, 11.4% showed normal BMI, 32.86% were overweight, and 54.29% were obese. Study recommendation included implementation of a patient education that will help increase awareness of CVD among the patient population at the clinic. Findings from this project could increase awareness on the importance of creating cultural congruent education program that will help educate minority populations more effectively in the management of cardiovascular disease.

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The focus of this study is the relationship among (1) attitudes toward sex-based differentiation in adult leisure activities and socialization of boys and girls, (2) attitudes toward housekeeping, and (3) combinations of marital, maternal employment, and head of household statuses among Negro, Anglo, and Mexican-American women in three age categories and from two socio-economic levels.

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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, June, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 197-212)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, 2008. / Title from screen (viewed on July 7, 2008). School of Social Work, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Advisor(s): Carolyn J. Black, Margaret E. Adamek, Khadija Khaja, Phyllis N. Stern. Includes vitae. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 194-205).