The restructuring of the South African higher education system ranges widely across mergers and incorporations, the creation of new institutional forms, regional-level programme collaboration and rationalisation. The Council on Higher Education (CHE) calls for greater productivity and more cost-effective deployment of resources. Such changes need to be managed effectively in order for staff and managers to adapt and find new ways to operate effectively within the changing environment and to maintain job satisfaction. The aim of this study was to critically evaluate job satisfaction levels during the transitional period of merger in the case of Walter Sisulu University (WSU), as organisational excellence can be achieved when employees experience job satisfaction. The research method employed to gather data was that of quantitative design. The sample consisted of academics and non-academics of WSU employees from the former Border Technikon, Eastern Cape Technikon and University of Transkei. The instrument used to collect data was a modified version of the 1977 Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). Of the 130 respondents 69 were academics and 61 non-academics. Key findings of the study indicated that there are more factors that contribute to job dissatisfaction compared to those factors that contribute to job satisfaction dimension. The results also indicated that the majority of respondents were dissatisfied with most of the job satisfaction factors. The paper recommends that, during a transitional period, human capital issues should be accorded the proper attention and should be addressed early in order to maintain high staff morale (job satisfaction). This will create a smooth transition during which employees will feel valued and experience job satisfaction. / Business Management / M. Tech. (Business Administration)

Vouloir un enfant et de pas parvenir à en concevoir peut constituer pour le couple qui consulte en centre de procréation médicalement assistée (PMA) une véritable épreuve assimilable à une crise de vie voire même à un deuil, celui notamment de la fertilité naturelle. Selon que l'on soit une femme ou un homme, le vécu peut différer. La prise en charge en centre de PMA peut s'accompagner de sentiments ambivalents. Le couple peut débuter les tentatives avec beaucoup d'espoir puis, lorsqu'ils ne sont pas satisfaits, passer par des phases plus négatives. Des tensions peuvent apparaître dans la relation de couple, affectant la communication et le vécu individuel. Certaines études se sont intéressées au vécu de ceux qui consultaient en centre de PMA mais rares sont finalement celles qui, en France, ont sondé leur projet d'enfant de façon précise par le biais de questionnaires. Il en est de même pour leur vécu corporel qui semble souvent délaissé malgré l'impact que peuvent représenter l'infertilité et les traitements associés sur l'identité et l'image du corps, notamment, sur la satisfaction corporelle. Ce travail a donc eu pour objectif d'étudier de façon exploratoire le projet d'enfant ainsi que le vécu corporel des couples consultant en centre de PMA au moyen d'outils complets et récemment soumis à validation. Les individus (N=102, moyenne d'âge=36 ans) ont été rencontrés dans trois centres de PMA (Hôpital Jean Verdier de Bondy, Hôpital Bèclère de Clamart et Hôpital Pellegrin de Bordeaux) et invités à remplir les questionnaires qui leur ont été fournis. Certains couples ont aussi été observés et écoutés lors de leur entretien avec le psychologue de la structure afin de compléter les résultats issus des questionnaires. Ces résultats ont été comparés avec ceux du groupe témoin. Les résultats de cette étude suggèrent qu'il existe des différences de vécu en fonction du genre mais aussi entre le groupe clinique et le groupe contrôle. On note, par exemple, que les individus consultant en centre de PMA sont plus satisfaits de leur apparence corporelle que la population témoin, ce qui va à l'encontre des résultats attendus. Cette étude exploratoire a soulevé de nombreuses questions et montre l'intérêt qu'il y a à s'intéresser au vécu corporel et au projet d'enfant des couples consultant en centre de PMA. Elle offre des perspectives non seulement cliniques mais aussi préventives ainsi que pour des recherches futures en ce qui concerne la problématique infertile. / To will a child without success to get it is a difficult step for couple who consult in Medically Assisted Procreation (MAP) center. This step can be comparable to crisis, or even bereavement, notably the natural fertility mourning. As we are a woman or a man, the personal experience can be different. Ambivalent feelings can come along the coverage of couple in MAP center. Couple can start attempt with lot of hope then, when they are not satisfied, go through negative one. Tensions can appear in the couple relationship, affecting communication and personal experience. Some studies were interested on personal experience of those who consult on MAP center, but French studies assessing child project through questionnaire are scarce. Studies of body dissatisfaction of these peoples are often unaccounted-for despite the involvement of infertility and associated treatment on identity and body dissatisfaction. This work aimed to study, in an exploratory way, child project and physical personal experience of couple consulting in MAP center, through comprehensive and validated tools. Subjects (N=102, M age=36 y.o.) have been chosen in 3 MAP centers (Hospital Jean Verdier at Bondy, Hospital Bèclère at Clamart and Hospital Pellegrin at Bordeaux) and were invited to fill out questionnaires. To complete questionnaires results, some couples have been observed during interview with the psychologist from the hospital. These results have been compared with those from the control group. Results suggest there is a different personal experience according to the gender but also between control group and clinical one. Notably, couples consulting in AMP center are more satisfied of their body appearance than the control group, which is in opposite of expected results. This exploratory study raised numerous questions and shows the interest to study physical personal experience and the child project of couple consulting in AMP center. It gives clinical and precautionary measure prospects as well as future research on infertile problems.

The military has an important role in peace and development work. Having skilled, experienced and knowledgeable personnel on peace-promoting missions abroad is crucial to ensure the missions success. A consequence of attrition is that military organizations lose valuable skills, experiences and qualities of service members. Preventing attrition is essential to maintain readiness, morale and knowledge. It also has a positive impact on peacekeeping missions, humanitarian relief and interactions with civil society. Current research on attrition has focused on early attrition; separation that occurs before a full term of service. It has focused on pre-enlistment factors of individuals that would make them less suitable to remain in the military. Current research has looked at attrition among all branches of the United States military. The focus of this thesis is to identify the main reasons for attrition among enlisted United States Marines. Focus is on the effect dissatisfaction of service and civilian opportunities has on attrition. It will also identify areas in need of improvement to prevent attrition. This research is a qualitative field study taken with an abductive approach. The main method of data collection was in-depth semi-structured interviews with active and retired U.S Marines, on site in North Carolina. The theory used to analyze the results is the Rational Choice-Theory, an individualistic theory that focus on individual’s actions and the values and beliefs shaping the action. Dissatisfaction because of bad leadership, military structures, long days of work and lack of motivation affected attrition. Civilian opportunities such as college and spending more time with family also played a part in the decision-making regarding reenlistment. Among the Marines, dissatisfaction arising from long-term issues was the factor that affected attrition the most. Civilian opportunities were in some cases the last pull needed to leave service. The findings can assist in making changes that will have a positive effect on the Marines. It can encourage Marines to pursue a longer military career, and hence keep valuable skills and experiences. These Marines can then continue to do important work within the peace and development field.

Orientador: Eliana Goldfarb Cyrino / Resumo: Introdução: A Organização Mundial de Saúde recomenda uma razão de um médico para cada mil habitantes para que a população tenha um adequado acesso à saúde. Apesar de o Brasil possuir um número absoluto satisfatório de médicos, há no país uma distribuição desigual destes profissionais, com carência de médicos em comunidades remotas e vulneráveis, causando um grande impacto no bem-estar da população que ali se encontra e dificultando a universalização da saúde, como prevê os princípios do Sistema Único de Saúde. Diante disso, o Governo Federal criou, em 2013, o Programa Mais Médicos (PMM), com o intuito de suprir de forma emergencial a carência de médicos em regiões de difícil fixação dos mesmos. A literatura considera que o principal fator que leva um trabalhador a deixar uma organização é seu nível de insatisfação com a função que desempenha, o que também se faz verdadeiro na área da saúde. Sendo assim, podemos inferir que a insatisfação laboral do médico da Atenção Básica é um dos motivos da dificuldade de recrutá-los e fixá-los por um período mais longo. Objetivo: Este estudo se propõe a avaliar as satisfações e insatisfações no trabalho de médicos integrantes do PMM no município de Botucatu – SP, cidade universitária com elevado IDH e com razão médico-paciente de 6,25. Metodologia: Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa, na qual foram feitas oito entrevistas semiestruturadas com médicos do PMM e uma entrevista com gestores da AB no município, as quais foram analisadas e categori... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Introduction: The World Health Organization recommends a ratio of one doctor per thousand inhabitants so that the population has adequate access to health. Although Brazil has a satisfactory absolute number of doctors, there is an unequal distribution of these professionals in the country, with a shortage of physicians in remote and vulnerable communities, causing a great impact on the well-being of the population that lives there and making it difficult to make health accessible for everyone, as foreseen by the principles of the Sistema Único de Saúde. Due to that, the Federal Government created in 2013 the More Doctors Program (PMM), with the aim of urgently supplying the shortage of doctors in regions that are difficult to set them down. The literature considers that the main factor that leads a worker to leave an organization is their level of dissatisfaction with the role they play, which is also true in the health field. Thus, we can infer that the dissatisfaction at work of the primary care physician is one of the reasons for the difficulty of recruiting them and fixing them for a longer period. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the satisfactions and dissatisfactions in the work of physicians of the PMM in the city of Botucatu - SP, a city with a renowned University, a high HDI and a physician-patient ratio of 6.25. Methodology: This is a qualitative research, in which eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with PMM physicians and one interview with healt... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

<p>The purpose of this study is to present populism as a political phenomenon and to impose focus on the rightwing populist parties that are active in Scandinavia. This essay begins with a presentation of the three rightwing political parties in Scandinavia. The rightwing populist parties have successfully developed their rhetoric and effectively influenced the political establishment in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The parties that the essay focuses on are the</p><p>Swedish democrats (SD), the Norwegian Progress party (FRP) and the Danish People`s party (DF). These parties are interesting in the sense that they share many opinions and are active in comparable political atmospheres, but also that they use approximately the same rightwing populist rhetoric as a way of exerting leverage on political policy.</p><p>The theoretical segment is constructed on a descriptive historical background of populisms three different phases. It begins with the classic populism then the “dissatisfaction party” and in conclusion, today's rightwing populism. The theoretical segment also addresses populisms ideological foundations and its contents. This includes the country of birth, the people, welfare “chauvinism” on ethnic national grounds, targeted dissatisfaction, criticism against representative democracy, populisms dynamic structure, hostility to foreigners and stranger distrust. The empirical analysis of the political parties is based on seven starting points: basic values, views on peoples worth, most important unit in society, method for social change, political forms of managing, economic organization and utopia. To illustrate these points a comparison between the average parties is done, by examining their respective party agendas.</p><p>The conclusion is drawn that there are few resemblances between the political parties examined; the differences considered are clearly stronger than the resemblances. The</p><p>differences lie mostly in basis values, most important unit in society and political forms of managing. Furthermore are the resemblances only partial. The parties were most similar in</p><p>relation to the family’s position in the society. SD and DF can be said to have similar ideologies while FRP’s ideology differs somewhat. SD and DF can be described as conservative nationalist parties, while FRP is a mixture of neoliberalism and conservatism. After studying each party’s principle agendas it can be established that all three parties utilize</p><p>rightwing rhetoric.</p><p>Keywords: rightwing populist parties, Swedish democrats, Norwegian Progress party and Danish People`s party, theoretical and analytical structure, empirical analysis.</p>

<p>The present thesis investigates environmental factors impact on office employees. More specifically, it investigates: 1) perception and experience of office environments, 2) satisfaction with office environments, and 3) health status and job satisfaction in connection to office environment. It is based on an empirical study with 491 office employees from twenty-six companies and divisions in larger companies. Each one respectively represents one of seven identified office-types in office design: cell-office, sharedroom office, small open plan office, medium open plan office, large open plan office, flex-office and combi-office. This study takes its basis in architecture, although an interdisciplinary approach from organizational and management theory, environmental psychology, and social and stress medicine has been used. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used.</p><p> In Article I a review of the different research fields that investigate environmental influences are presented with a focus on office environments. Different perspectives on the environmental impact on office employees are investigated.</p><p>In Article II an analysis of office environment based on the employee’s perception and experience of the architecture is done based on in-depth interviews using a method originally developed by Kevin Lynch (1960). The method measures the "imagebility" of a space, rated by the users with following elements: landmark, node, path, edge and district. The result showed that the method, based on employees’ perception and use of space, is a possible tool in the design process to get a better understanding of where the elements that reinforce "imageability" most likely will appear in an office environment. The method thus gives a better idea of the future "imageability" of a space and could be useful as guidance in the design process of how the architectural design will be received by the users in the end.</p><p>In Article III employees’ satisfaction with the office environment in different office-types is investigated. The article focuses on three domains: 1) Ambient factors, 2) Noise and Privacy and 3) Designrelated factors. The statistical analysis was done using a logistic regression model with multivariate analysis. Adjustment was done for: age, gender, job rank, job satisfaction and market division. The results show differences in satisfaction with the office environment between employees in different office-types, many of which were statistically significant. When differences persist in the multivariate analysis they can possibly be ascribed to the office-type. Results show that employees in cell-offices are prominently most satisfied followed by those in flex-offices. Cell-offices rate only low on social aspects of Design-related factors. A major finding is internal differences between different office-types where employees share workspace and facilities. The medium and large open plan offices could be described as high-risk officetypes.</p><p>In Article IV differences between employees in different office-types with regard to health, wellbeing and job satisfaction are analyzed. A multivariate analysis of the data was done with adjustment for the confounders: age, gender, job rank and market division. The results show that there are risks of ill health and poor well-being in medium and small open plan offices. Employees in these office-types show significantly higher risks compared with those in other office-types. In medium open plan and combioffices the employees show the highest prevalence of low job satisfaction. The best chance for good health status and job satisfaction is among employees in cell-offices and flex-offices; there are, however, internal differences in distribution on different outcome variables for job satisfaction. The major finding of these studies is that there are significant differences with regard to satisfaction with office environments as well as health status and job satisfaction between employees in different office-types; differences that can possibly can be ascribed to the office-types as they persist after adjustment for important confounders.</p>

This study examines counselors understanding of body fixation (alt: body image fixation) as a social problem among young women aged 15-25 years. Earlier research on this subject highlights the standards and ideals placed on the female body where happiness is associated with a slim body figure. Research has shown that young women that compare their own bodies with others are at higher risk at developing an unhealthy relationship with their body, which can lead to eating disorders. The data for this study was collected through semi-structured interviews with nine counselors from youth clinics, schools and primary healthcare. The results were interpreted and analysed in the light of social constructionist perspective as developed by Berger &amp; Luckmann and Loseke's social constructionist definition of social problems. The results of analysis show that counselors’ understandings of body fixation are constructed and perceived as a problem of body fixation which itself is part of a larger problem. Namely, the cause of body fixation is connected to a variety of factors such as poor self-esteem, parents’ behaviour in relation to their own bodies and the depiction of female body ideals in mass media, among others. Counselors meant that body fixation often becomes problematic as it drives young women to isolation and withdrawal from their social environments. The results reveal several similarities in relation to earlier research on the subject, and we conclude by presenting our own suggestions and ideas for future research within the subject, such as for instance increasing of the awareness of body fixation among young men. / Denna studie behandlar kuratorers uppfattning om kroppsfixering som ett socialt problem hos unga kvinnor i åldern 15-25 år. Tidigare forskning kring ämnet har framförallt belyst samhällets bild av kvinnokroppen genom de rådande kropp- och skönhetsidealen där ett smalhetsideal hör ihop med lycka och framställs som önskvärt. Forskning har visat att unga kvinnor som jämför sin egen kropp med andras ses ha en högre riskfaktor i att utveckla ett osunt förhållande till sin kropp som kan leda till ätstörningar. Datamaterialet för denna studie samlades in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med nio kuratorer inom ungdomsmottagning eller likvärdig mottagning, skola och primärvården. Resultatet förstods och tolkades med socialkonstruktivistiskts perspektiv utifrån Berger &amp; Luckmann och Loseke´s socialkonstruktivistiska definition om hur ett socialt problem konstrueras. Resultatet av analysen visade att kuratorers uppfattning om kroppsfixering konstruerades och sågs som ett problem i och med att kroppsfixeringen ansågs vara en del av en större problematik. Orsaken till kroppsfixering berodde på en rad olika faktorer såsom dålig självkänsla, föräldrars beteende kring sin egen kropp, massmedias bilder av hur kvinnokroppen ska se ut m.fl. Kuratorerna uppfattade att kroppsfixeringen blev problematisk när den ledde till att de unga kvinnorna isolerade sig själva från sin sociala omgivning. Resultatet visade på många likheter med tidigare forskning som behandlat ämnet och avslutningsvis presenteras våra idéer till vidare forskning inom ämnet bl.a. att belysa kroppsfixering bland unga män.

The aims of the studies were to assess body image perceptions, the role of stress and other possible associated psychopathologies within a non-clinical sample. The prevalence of body image concern is increasing and is widely considered as secondary to evolving socio-cultural trends. Negative self-perceptions about body image can be manifest as measurable indicators of physiological stress, or even psychopathology. This thesis describes two quantitative studies into the role and relevance of various causative factors in the development of negative body image in cohorts of volunteers drawn from the general population of the University of Bradford in West Yorkshire, UK. In Study One, subjects (n=360) completed a self-directed questionnaire that psychometrically measured satisfaction/dissatisfaction with personal appearance, queried which external sources influenced those opinions, and correlated these with demographic information. In particular, we sought to examine how a subject's opinion about their personal appearance varied with age, gender, ethnicity, mental health, relationship status, sexual orientation and Body Mass Index (BMI). Subjective views regarding personal appearance were determined by answers given to specific body image questions that revealed a subject's day-to-day appearance concerns, all preoccupations, and the extent to which these concerns resulted in distress, all social impairment. Overall, the results demonstrated that BMI values were positively correlated with personal appearance concerns. High BMI values correlated with greater dissatisfaction with personal appearance. Self ratings of appearance values were negatively correlated with BMI scores. Subjects who gave themselves high appearance ratings were relatively unaffected by media influence with regard to their image, compared to subjects rating themselves less attractive. These latter subjects also showed higher peer pressure scores in terms of both the amount of time they compared themselves to peers, and the degree to which peer comparisons affected their self-appearance ratings. Based on responses to the body image questions specifically, the entire cohort of subjects were categorised into principal clusters: those largely unaffected by any body image concerns; and those profoundly distressed by their self assessed body image. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of these findings is that the scores for this latter (n=17) group of subjects on the body image questions revealed a degree of personal distress this is almost identical to the scores expected from those people diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Collectively, these results suggest that high BMI values in subjects negatively impact on self-appearance ratings, render subjects more prone to media messages that portray body image ideals, and elicit frequent comparisons with peers to validate self-image concerns. Furthermore, severely affected subjects with high BMI scores may show similar psychopathology to that of BDD sufferers. In Study Two, a small cohort of subjects (n=60) were given questionnaires and were interviewed to further investigate self-appearance ratings and mood/depressive traits. The body image questions used in Study One to assess image concerns and the magnitude of distress were repeated in Study Two. Mood and depressive state were measured using the validated Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). In parallel, subjects completed the Derriford Appearance Scale 59 (DAS 59), which is a valid psychometric indication of an individual's perception of their appearance as 'normal' or 'disfigured', and used as a tool by plastic surgeons to inform decisions regarding the necessity for surgery to correct an individual's appearance. Physiological markers were recorded before and after exposure of subjects to a physical and a psychological stressor: these were saliva concentrations of cortisol and sIgA (an immune marker), blood glucose and blood pressure. The results of Study Two revealed no changes in scores for any of the physiological measures following stressors. BDI scores for most subjects fell within normal ranges, although females scored higher than males, but not at a pathological level. Those subjects with a history of mental illness or those who reported feeling a high degree of stress on a daily basis, or those who expressed greater self-appearance concerns, all had significantly elevated BDI values. Perhaps the most intriguing finding from Study Two, as in Study One, was that subjects again tended to fall within specific categories for body image concerns: those unaffected or minimally affected by body image concerns, and those (n=6) greatly and deleteriously affected by body image concerns. This subsection of subjects also scored very high on the DAS 59 for disfigurement. On the basis of these findings it would seem that body image concerns may be severe enough for some individuals for them to perceive themselves as actually being disfigured, or that the DAS 59 (a widely used assessment tool in plastic surgery), may not be entirely appropriate for assessment of an individual's need for surgery because it cannot distinguish between those genuinely disfigured and those merely expressing severe body image concerns.

The concept of self-compassion has been gathering interest for researchers in recent years, as it appears to offer an array of benefits to wellbeing. This study investigated the potential role of self-compassion as a protective factor against disordered eating behaviors. It also examined the mediating roles of three potential variables: body dissatisfaction, perfectionism and contingent self-worth. Given modern representations of the female ideal, failure to achieve or adequately conform to such standards often poses psychological challenges for women and girls. Self-compassion encompasses kind, mindful self-treatment and may be an ideal protective factor against disordered eating. It has also been linked with lower body dissatisfaction, maladaptive perfectionism, and contingent self-worth. The present study found that dissatisfaction with one’s body, as well as a tendency to judge one’s personal worth based on appearance fully mediated the relationship between self-compassion and both restrained and emotional disordered eating respectively. Therefore, a self-compassionate attitude may serve as a protective factor against engaging in disordered eating vis-à-vis strengthening young women’s abilities to look at their bodies in a more compassionate and unconditionally accepting way. / text

Worldwide. adolescents are at risk of dcvdoping eating disorders since they tire in a process of negot ia( ing important developmental tasks and are thus vulnerable to the internalisation of the thin ideal (Polivy 8: Herman, 2002). Body dissatisfaction, bulimia nnd drive for thinness haw been identified as the primary risk factors related to developing eating disorders (Garner, 2004). Despite the heightened vulnerability during adolescence and societal pressures to be thin. some adolescents are happy with their bodies and arc not body dismtisfied nor have a drive for thinness. Since adolesccnce is associated with negotiating an identity. Berzonsky's (1999) socialcognitive model of identity formation is instrumental in exploring the relationship betn~ccn identity style and factors associated with eating disorders. Furthermore. Berzonsky's (1999) informational identity style (11s) as well as the normative identity style (N IS) are positively correlated LO psychological well-being (PWB) whcreas the diffuse-avoidant identity style (DAIS) is negatively correlated to PWB. Consensus has not been reached with regard to this (Adams et al.. 2001), thus this investigation may provide impomn~ information with regard to the application of identity styles and iii Ryffs (1995) six dimensions of PWB in Suture preventive programmes. This study aimed to investigate thc relalionship between idcnrity styles. the primary eating disorder risk factors, psychological traits associated with eating disorders and the six dimensions of psychological well-being (PWB). Furthermore. it aimed to investigate wllcther the three groups of identity styles diflered significantly in terms of the primary eating disorder risk Faclors, psychological traits associaied with eating disorders and the six dimensions of PWB. Lastly. it aimed to investigate whether different age and race groups of adolescent girls differed significantly in identity style. primary eating disorder risk factors, psychological traits associated \vith eating disorders and PWB. A one-shot cross-sectional survey design was used in which an availability and multicultural sample of adolescent females(n=290) ranging from 13- to 17-year old in grades 9 to 11 attending an English high school in the Gauteng Province was used. They completed the Eating Disorder Inventory3 (EDI-3) (Gamer, 2004). Identity Style Inventory ( E l ) (Berzonsky, 1992). Scales of Psychological Well- Being (SPWB) (Ryff, 1989a). a self-designed biographical qucstiomaire and their b d y Mass Indcx (BMI) was recorded. Significant negative cor~lationsw erc fbund between the dimensions of PWB, eating disorder risk factors and associated psychological traits. Self-acceptance. enviro~unental mastery and positive relations appeared to be key dimensions negatively associated with the prinlary eating disorder risk factors and associated psychological traits. Identity styles did not direr significantly with regard to the primary eating disorder risk factors. however relationships were found between identity styles and some psycl~ologicat traits associated with eating disorders. These included the positive correlalion betwecn the IIS and perfectionism. the negative correlation betwecn the NIS versus personal alienation and interpersonal alienation and the positive correlation between [he DAIS and introceptive delicits. Comparisons between the rhret. identity styles and each of the six dimensions of PWB validarcd that femalc adolescents using an [IS and NIS experience greater levels of P%JB than compared lo their DAIS counterparts. Although age did not impact on the in~plementaliono f identity styles nor the primary eating disorder risk factors and associated psychcllogical traits. the 17-year-old age group experienced greater levels of PWB with regard to autonomy, environmental mastery and personal growth. Furt hcrmore, no significant di fferenccs were found with regard to race, identity styles. the primary eating disorder risk factors and PWB. Black female adolcscents experienced more interpersonal insecurity and maturity fears than the White female adolescents in this study. These findings encourage the development of a regression model identifying protective factors in future research as wcll as constructing an effective preventive programme against eating disorders in female adolescents. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.