This study examined the effectiveness of a multi-dimensional education program in facilitating attitude changes in adolescent female athletes away from dysfunctional eating behaviours and restrictive body image. Although research is available for diagnosing and identifying the problems associated with dysfunctional eating behaviours and attitudes in female athletes, few preventative tools have been proposed in order to address the problem. This study involved the design, delivery and the evaluation of a proposed a multi-dimensional education model as a preventative tool. The research design involved 18 teenage female middle/long distance runners, aged between 13 and 19, who were registered with the ACT Cross Country Club. The study was a quantitative and qualitative investigation employing a pre and post test design and using the process of triangulation to increase the study's validity. It was proposed that a multi-dimensional education program might be effective in steering attitudes away from dysfunctional eating behaviours and body image and that a mixed method design may corroborate and elaborate on the findings of the study to strengthen the understanding of the potential benefits of such an education program has to its participants. Results showed that education proved to be a successful tool in facilitating attitudinal changes in a positive direction, across a number of variables such as menstrual functioning, nutrition, flexibility, strength, and general awareness, on what constitutes a balanced healthy athletic body.

Several researchers have indicated that the emphasis placed by young people on body shape and appearance has been greatly shaped by the media. The aim of this research was to investigate this notion specifically with regard to televised media. It was hypothesised that there would be a relationship between media images, eating attitudes and dietary behaviours, particularly for teenagers with body-image self-schemas who were conscious of their appearance. Nine hundred and sixty five senior secondary school students, from 33 country and metropolitan, state and independent, co-educational and single-sex South Australian high schools were surveyed. Fifty-six percent of the sample were adolescent girls and the average age of participants was 16.1 years. The questionnaire included sections on television usage, dieting behaviours, eating restraint and eating habits, as well as attitudes to foods, gender and appearance. Cluster analysis procedures indicated that it was possible to cluster television viewers into four distinct groups, "Telephiliacs", "Telephobics", "Modellers" and a "Relaxation/Information" group. These groups were classified according to television usage. Telephiliacs made the mose use of television, using it to gain information, for relaxation and entertainment and as a resource for body image and appearance standards; Modellers used it as a guide on which to model their appearance and behaviour; the Relaxation/Information group used it to relax and to gain information; and Telephobics did not watch much television and made the least use of it. The results of discriminant analyses confirmed that these cluster groups were different and that they could be distinguished by attitudes to appearance, dieting behaviours and foods consumed. The findings support the notion that the adolescent television audience is an active one and that television usage is dependent upon the needs of the individual. Television usage varied amongst adolescents and it was more likely to be used as a source of reference for body image standards by teenagers who were conscious of their appearance. These teenagers were also more likely to diet. Any outcomes related to television usage were accentuated if teenagers believed that television was "real". The findings suggest that television perpetuates an image of the thin body ideal and acts as a source of reference for adolescents with body-image self-schemas. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--Department of Education, 1996.

This qualitative study explores the experiences of female adolescents in relation to physical activity. The study investigates the experience of being adolescent and the meaning of a female adolescent’s experience of physical activity. A qualitative description with a phenomenological hue was the methodology used. Their perceptions of their lived experiences in relation to physical activity were revealed through stories. The participants were six adolescent females. The study data was gathered through open-ended questions and in-depth conversations, to seek meaning of the adolescent’s experience of physical activity. The interviews were transcribed and stories extracted from the data. Results from the findings of the study indicate that physical activity needs to be enjoyable for the female adolescent for her to be motivated to participate. What specifically constitutes enjoyment for the adolescent differs for each individual. The data also suggested that other persons of influence or the female adolescent’s environment may also have an impact on their participation. Peers, parents, their gender, body issues, competition, running, and certain restrictions were revealed as making a difference. For the female adolescent participating in physical activity, it would be advantageous to find an approach that allows a girl to experience physical activity in the way that works for her. Some participants, already good at sports, are likely to be very competitive, want to train hard, and will build friendships among their like-minded peers. These female adolescents are not so problematic. They already love physical activity and participate in it. The challenge is to target those female adolescents who do not participate on a regular basis, and to design successful interventions which promote and encourage them into physical activity. This change may prevent a further decline in the levels of physical activity for the adolescent who is at a stage when physical activity may be so advantageous.

This research examined the role that idealised image characteristics have in determining post-exposure body image and amount of self-reported social comparisons. This was tested by exposing female undergraduate students to media-portrayed idealised images that varied in their level of relevance, salience, or attainability. A negative impact of these images was indicated by greater post-exposure body dissatisfaction and body size estimation inaccuracy. In contrast, a positive impact was considered to have occurred when body dissatisfaction decreased and body size estimation was more accurate. If the images had a neutral impact on body image, one would expect little difference between groups or over time. A further aim was to determine whether a higher level of trait tendency to compare was related to more negative responding at post-exposure. In addition, thin ideal internalisation and restraint were examined as possible moderators. Studies 1, 2a, 2b, and 3 indicated that idealised image relevance and salience had little differential impact on post-exposure body image. That is, exposure to thin idealised images, irrespective of the salience and relevance manipulations, resulted in similar post-exposure body dissatisfaction and body size estimation. In contrast to this, the attainability of the image seemed to influence post-exposure responding, at least in terms of body size estimation (Study 4). Higher trait tendency to compare was associated with a greater amount of self-reported comparison with the images, but had little impact on body image. Surprisingly, these results were not moderated by thin ideal internalisation or restraint. The role of individual differences was explored with additional analyses in Study 5, which revealed that, when the power is sufficient, thin ideal internalisation, restraint, and self-reported comparisons with the images predicted post-exposure body dissatisfaction, but not body size estimation. Overall, this program of research suggests that idealised image features do not play a vital differential role in determining post-exposure body image, unless it is the body itself that is being manipulated. Results from this research support the idea that the mere presence of an idealised body is sufficient to activate negative responses, and there was little, if any, evidence for the occurrence of positive responses. These findings are discussed in terms of social comparison and schema theory, and in terms of their practical implications.

This research examined the role that idealised image characteristics have in determining post-exposure body image and amount of self-reported social comparisons. This was tested by exposing female undergraduate students to media-portrayed idealised images that varied in their level of relevance, salience, or attainability. A negative impact of these images was indicated by greater post-exposure body dissatisfaction and body size estimation inaccuracy. In contrast, a positive impact was considered to have occurred when body dissatisfaction decreased and body size estimation was more accurate. If the images had a neutral impact on body image, one would expect little difference between groups or over time. A further aim was to determine whether a higher level of trait tendency to compare was related to more negative responding at post-exposure. In addition, thin ideal internalisation and restraint were examined as possible moderators. Studies 1, 2a, 2b, and 3 indicated that idealised image relevance and salience had little differential impact on post-exposure body image. That is, exposure to thin idealised images, irrespective of the salience and relevance manipulations, resulted in similar post-exposure body dissatisfaction and body size estimation. In contrast to this, the attainability of the image seemed to influence post-exposure responding, at least in terms of body size estimation (Study 4). Higher trait tendency to compare was associated with a greater amount of self-reported comparison with the images, but had little impact on body image. Surprisingly, these results were not moderated by thin ideal internalisation or restraint. The role of individual differences was explored with additional analyses in Study 5, which revealed that, when the power is sufficient, thin ideal internalisation, restraint, and self-reported comparisons with the images predicted post-exposure body dissatisfaction, but not body size estimation. Overall, this program of research suggests that idealised image features do not play a vital differential role in determining post-exposure body image, unless it is the body itself that is being manipulated. Results from this research support the idea that the mere presence of an idealised body is sufficient to activate negative responses, and there was little, if any, evidence for the occurrence of positive responses. These findings are discussed in terms of social comparison and schema theory, and in terms of their practical implications.

IDA-projektet

Thesis (Ph. D. in History of Art)--University of California, Berkeley, Fall 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting women. The treatment of breast cancer may lead to forcing the woman to remove her breast. The breast is a symbol of femininity and sexuality for many women. The purpose of this literature-based study is to describe women's experiences of altered body image and sexuality after mastectomy. This may provide a better understanding of the nurse in responding to these breast cancer patients. The method used is a qualitative literature-based method, based on qualitative analysis of 13 articles. The results show that women undergoing mastectomy feel loss of part of the body, loss of sexuality and womanhood and that their bodies and sexuality are changing. Many women feel that their bodies have been mutilated and disfigured which leads to decreased sexual desire. The desire to feel normal again is great and to meet that many women undergoing breast reconstruction or prosthesis wear. Given that many women suffer as a result out of their changing body image and sexuality following a mastectomy, it is important that the nurse has knowledge of women’s experience of altered body and sexuality. The knowledge leads to better response from the nurse to patients' experiences of illness and suffering and to mitigate this as far as possible. / Bröstcancer är den vanligaste cancersjukdomen som drabbar kvinnor. Behandlingen av bröstcancer kan leda till att kvinnan är tvungen att ta bort sitt bröst. Bröstet är en symbol för kvinnlighet och sexualitet för många kvinnor. Syftet var med denna litteraturbaserade studie är att beskriva kvinnors upplevelser av förändrad kroppsuppfattning och sexualitet efter mastektomi. Detta kan ge en ökad förståelse hos sjuksköterskan i bemötandet av dessa bröstcancerdrabbade patienter. Metoden som använts är en kvalitativ litteraturbaserad metod baserat på analys av 13 kvalitativa artiklar. Resultatet visar att kvinnor som genomgår mastektomi upplever förlust av kroppsdel, förlust av sexualitet och kvinnlighet och att deras kropp och sexualitet förändras. Många kvinnor upplever sina kroppar som stympade och vanställda vilket leder till minskad sexuell lust. Önskan om att få känna sig normal igen är stor och för att uppfylla detta genomgår många kvinnor bröstrekonstruktion eller bär protes. Eftersom att många kvinnor lider på grund av sin förändrade kroppsuppfattning och sexualitet efter en mastektomi är det viktigt att sjuksköterskan har kunskap om kvinnors upplevelse av förändrad kroppsuppfattning och sexualitet. Kunskapen leder till att sjuksköterskan kan bemöta patienters sjukdomsupplevelser och lidande på ett bättre sätt och så långt som möjligt lindra detta.

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IDA-projektet