General relationships between the proposed risk factors of perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, depression, and interoceptive awareness and the presence of bulimic symptoms were examined in this study. Interactions between these risk factors presented by previous theoretical models were also explored through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis. A sample consisting of 200 female undergraduate students completed the following measures: The Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses (Q-EDD). Taken together, the proposed risk factors of perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, depression, and interoceptive awareness were found to make a difference in predicting the presence of eating disorder symptoms. Body dissatisfaction served as the strongest predictor of bulimic symptoms in college women of all risk factors tested in this study. Direct relationships between perfectionism and depression, depression and body dissatisfaction, and body dissatisfaction and bulimic symptoms were supported by the current study's data. Clinical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

This project looked for differences in behavioral risk factors between Traditional and Non-Traditional students. The study was based on data collected from the 1993 Behavioral Risk Factor Survey administered to a sample of 290 Ball State University students by the Ball State University Institute for Wellness. Using the chi-square goodness-of-fit method, significant differences were found between the two groups on several risk factors. Using alpha=0.05, there were significant differences found for the following risk factors: hypertension, overweight, smoking, acute drinking, and no physical activity. No significant differences were found for the following: seatbelt use, chronic drinking, drinking and driving, sedentary lifestyle, and checking of cholesterol level. / Fisher Institute for Wellness

No description available.

Disorders of lifestyle are increasing globally; countries in transition are suffering the double burden of both contagious and chronic disorders. The utilization of health education to address these issues has had variable results, but the most successful have incorporated human contact. The aim of this study was to measure the quantitative and qualitative impact of a wellness promotion programme on university students. The objective was to provide a structured facilitated holistic wellness education programme to a sample of socioeconomically disadvantaged students in Higher Education in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Using a pragmatic mixed methodological approach to this critical evaluation, the impact on both wellness and academic progress was measured. Initial demographic data was gathered via a biographical questionnaire, pre- and post-intervention measurement of wellness, using the Wellness Questionnaire for Higher Education, as well as a semi-structured qualitative questionnaire and transcripts of academic results. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS analysis software and qualitative data using the NVivo analysis package. The findings were that all students improved throughout the year in their overall wellness scores, in particular in areas such as avoiding excessive sun exposure and increasing the amount of physical exercise. This corresponded with an increase in the value that the participants attached to information on these aspects of wellness, which was attributed to the programme. Results revealed that there was a weak correlation between student wellness measured at the year-end and academic success overall, but a strong correlation between student wellness and academic success for the students that gained the highest marks. Analysis of the dimensions of wellness that correlated best with student success revealed that there was a particularly strong correlation between year-end career wellness and year-end academic success. In conclusion it was found that a positive and holistic salutogenic wellness education programme increased levels of student wellness overall, which translated into student academic success. The link between wellness and success was particularly strong in students that gained higher marks. Recommendations include that first-year higher education students receive a positive wellness education programme built into the curriculum of their first year of study and that the overall impact be monitored across a broader spectrum of students over the duration of their diploma or degree programme.

Most students are adolescents and young adults, a group characterized by a new-found sense of independence, experimentation with sex and sometimes drugs and a feeling of invincibility (Gayle, Richard, Keeling, Garcia-Tunon, Kilbourne, Narkunas, Ingram, rogers and Curran, 1990:1538). These behavioural, developmental and environmental issues may contribute to premature morbidity, mortality and reduced quality of life for university students (Patrick et al., 1992:260). The ages of staff on the other hand range from young adults to retirement age. The types of health problems that exist among staff who use the campus health service include First Aid treatment on site for injuries on duty and more chronic health problems such as, for example, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. To date there is very little evidence as to whether or not the healthcare needs of students and staff are being met comprehensively or whether the practitioners rendering the service are knowledgeable and complying with the PHC norms and standards developed by the department of Health’s Quality Assurance Directorate. The lack of such empirical data can contribute to misconceptions and hamper the management of public health problems experienced in SA, for example sexually transmitted infections and the transmission of HIV. Thus the purpose of this research was to develop a model that would assist registered nurses employed at a higher education campus health service in the Western Region of the Eastern Cape Province to render a healthcare service relevant to the healthcare needs of the students and staff on campus.

Japanese, Euro-Canadian, and Mexican university students listed their personal goals and completed questionnaires on their psychological well-being, health, and interpersonal relationship status at Time 1 (the beginning of the semester) and at Time 2 (the end of the semester). The relationships between the kinds of goals they listed (i.e., approach or avoidance) and their well-being, health, and interpersonal relationship status were assessed to investigate the moderating role of culture among these relationships. The regression analyses revealed marginal and significant interaction effects of culture and avoidance goals on psychological well-being, health, and interpersonal relationship outcomes at Time 2. The results offer support for the hypothesis: Compared with Canadians, Mexicans, and especially Japanese are less likely to experience adverse effects in the areas of well-being, health, and interpersonal relationship associated with avoidance goals. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

This study systematically examines contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, and practices among United States Midwestern college students. The goal is to provide data on the distribution and correlates of common or "folk" knowledge that can be used to promote positive attitudes, and safer practice of contraceptive use. Many factors may influence the distribution of contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. These include innate characteristics, culture, and gender stereotypes. Hence, this study concentrates on sex/gender differences in contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, and practices. It was found that higher knowledge levels positively correlate with positive attitudes concerning contraceptive use. The ultimate goal is to ascertain what the differences are to provide a foundation to develop better education strategies for young adults. / Department of Anthropology

There are estimated to be 840,000 people living with HIV in China (1) of whom 65% are estimated to be in the 16-29 year age group. Since the end of the Cultural Revolution and the opening of China to Western influence, traditional cultural norms have rapidly eroded and China is described as being in the middle of a sexual revolution (2). People are increasingly engaging in behaviours exposing them to the risk of contracting HIV which is spreading from the traditionally high risk populations to the general population via the heterosexual route (3). Comprehensive prevention strategies are necessary to prevent further spread (4). There is evidence that the observed increase in sexual activity is not accompanied by adequate knowledge of HIV transmission. 79% of 18-25 year olds know that HIV/AIDS can be transmitted by sexual intercourse, but a mere 30% know that correct and consistent condom use can protect against HIV transmission (5).<br /> <br /> This exploratory study investigated the factors that influence safe sexual practices amongst female Chinese university students, enabling or preventing them from taking responsibility for their reproductive health. The literature search revealed this to be a largely unexplored area. The study was undertaken amongst third year male and female students, recruited from the Department of Comparative Literature and Media Studies at the Zhongshan University in Guangzhou, China. Data was predominantly collected using two male and two female focus group discussions. Three key informant interviews supported and contextualised the findings. The study revealed that the factors influencing female students&rsquo / ability to adopt safe sexual practices are complex. The recognised shortcomings of sex education in China (6) are compounded by the taboo of sex and the pressure placed on students for the achievement of good grades.<br /> <br /> The university environment exerts a powerful influence. The ease with which mutually beneficial same sex friendships develop in the dormitory can be contrasted with the difficulties faced by couples attempting to conduct relationships. The restrictive university environment has the effect of driving relationships underground. Gender roles are deeply entrenched. The need to conform to the ideal pure, na&iuml / ve, and non-inquiring female stereotype affects a female student&rsquo / s ability to source sexual health information, negotiate safe sex, and to adopt safe sexual practices. Two distinct male stereotypes emerged: the traditional more gender equal male, and the liberal male who believes in an earlier age of sexual initiation and condones multiple sexual partners. All students are aware of HIV but have misconceptions about the specifics of HIV transmission, believing that HIV can be transmitted by kissing, from unclean baths and from doctors. Some students were of the belief that poor personal hygiene is an indicator of possible HIV positive status. Students were confused by condom quality issues. As they had received no formal condom training students relied on reading the package instructions or working it out for themselves.<br /> This small exploratory study resulted in the production of rich and surprising findings. These are incorporated into recommendations for future research and a comprehensive sex education programme at the university. Abstinence and mutual monogamy should be emphasised. Gender stereotypes that influence behaviour and choice of sex education materials should be acknowledged. Negotiation skills training should be incorporated together with condom and contraceptive advice. A sexual health page on the student website and a training programme for students to become peer-to-peer sex educators should be introduced.

In this study, the relationship between the risk factors of perfectionism and depression and eating disorder symptomatology was examined. A sample of female undergraduates completed the following three measures: the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), and the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses (Q-EDD). Results indicated that perfectionism is significantly positively correlated with depression. Higher levels of perfectionism were also associated with the presence of eating disorder symptoms, whereas lower levels of perfectionism were associated with the absence of eating disorder symptoms. Finally, an increase in perfectionism levels was predictive of eating disorder symptoms. Directions for future research and clinical implications are discussed. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

The problem with which this study was concerned was that of developing a valid and reliable physical fitness test for college women which could be readily administered to large groups in a short period of time.