Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2003. Graduate Programme in Women's Studies. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 440-458). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ99227

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An expanse of research literature has confirmed that a significant percentage of women are concerned about their body size and appearance. Western cultures have emphasized that women must look good to be worthy. Media attention that alludes to the benefits of a thin, fit body exacerbates women's beliefs that they need to look a certain way to be acceptable and to fit in. How though, can the majority of women fit into a world of contrary ideals? Being strong and healthy does not absolutely mean a woman has to be model thin with conspicuous abdominal muscles and extreme body definition. In the field of art therapy, there has been no specific research to demonstrate the advantages of clay for the exploration of body-image, male or female. The research undertaken focuses on and evaluates the manner and methods in which clay can be employed as an enabling material for body-image issues with women within art therapy practice. With the help of small groups of female participants who were invited to attend sessions in my pottery to make their body-images from clay and join in discussion, I was able to explore within a safe and contained environment the ways in which clay can be utilised within an art therapy setting. None of the women who took part in the research had a diagnosis relating to body-image issues. By pursuing the methods of Participatory Action Research (PAR) for Study One I employed the fundamental features of Cycles of Reflection. The results of Study One assisted me in choosing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to further the research. In this way, I would be able to identify the most robust of themes within the dialogues of the three women who attended the individual sessions that comprised Study Two. The final results of the research point to a positive and contained means of working with clients and patients in order to provide a significant resource to help women explore and be more accepting of their bodies.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Kent State University, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Nov. 2, 2009). Advisor: Kristin Mickelson. Keywords: social support; stigma; controllability. Includes bibliographical references (p. 74-88).

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. David Pargman, Florida State University, College of Education, Dept. of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed June 29, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-99).

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master in Technology: Marketing, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Satisfying consumers’ needs and wants has always been a primary goal of marketing. These are fulfilled when consumers make the right choices of products to purchase. The driving force behind such purchasing decisions is generally regarded as motivation and this varies between consumers, with each one having their own reasons for their respective choices. For the convenience of consumers, women’s clothing is displayed in stores according to the body sizes of the garments, as reflected on each of their labels. However, this practice can be confusing to consumers because manufacturers use differing sizing systems. The resultant sizing and fit problems in women’s clothing have been documented in many studies around the world. The aim of this study is to explore the emotional effects of sizing and fit on purchasing behaviour in women’s clothing. It looks at current literature regarding emotions in purchasing, consumer decision making and sizing and fit and focuses on sizing and fit problems encountered when women try on clothing in a store. Their emotions whilst going through this process are identified and the subsequent effects of these emotions on their purchasing behaviour are examined. The study firstly reveals that emotions are felt, in varying degrees, by women consumers arising from sizing and fit problems when trying on clothing in stores. The results show that positive emotions are not felt strongly. Secondly, the study identifies the influences which emotions have on purchasing behaviour. The results indicate that positive emotions have a significant influence on purchasing, whilst negative emotions have a lesser effect. Thirdly, the study reveals that in the relationship between satisfaction and the demographic profile, age played a significant role in the scoring of positive emotions when respondents experience inconsistency of sizes between stores.