While men retain the highest rates of incarcerations, the female prison population has tripled in the last decade (Covington, 2007; Henderson, 1998). The goal of this study was to examine micro-level forces, such as social support, substance use, and childhood trauma, in a sample of 188 recently incarcerated women, aged 18-58. Using an ANOVA with ages grouped 18-29, 30-39, and 40-58, age differences in substance use were identified, with the 30-39 year old group reporting more alcohol and drug use than the 18-29 year old group. There were no age differences on social support or childhood trauma. Multiple regression analyses revealed that older age and less social support predicted more alcohol use and older age alone predicted drug use. These results illustrate a need for deeper exploration of these micro forces across the life course of incarcerated women and the need for age-specific programs with at-risk populations to address different use patterns.

This four-month case study explored the connections among language, literacy, and identity development of five African American women as they shared narratives within a beauty salon context. The questions that guided the study were: (a) What language and literacy practices are enacted in the beauty salon? (b) In what way do African American women narrate their experiences? (c) What stories are shared by African American women in the salon? (d) What are the effects on the listeners of the narratives shared in the salon? and (e) How are social and cultural identities (co)constructed and performed in the narratives? The narratives were analyzed using Reissman’s (2008) dialogic/performance analysis approach. The Identities in Practice framework applied, situated the work in relation to the four contexts for identity development (figured worlds, positionality, spaces for authoring, and making world through serious play) outlined in Holland, Lachicotte, Skinner, and Cain’s (2008). The findings supported previous findings that storytelling events and the use of narratives were the primary means for African American women sharing their lived experiences in the beauty salon. This corroborated with findings from Richardson (2003) and others focused on African American female language and literacy practices. Three themes emerged from the narrative data, which reflected challenges the women experience in their social, racial/cultural, and gendered conversations and experiences. Additionally, two focal participants’ narratives were examined to explore the ways identity was performed through their use of language in the narratives. The analysis indicated Kelly and Pam were strongly affiliated to social and cultural identities that included identities about motherhood, gender equity, and activists in the Black community. The importance of this research is to continue to explore the ways African American women build and shape their identities through language. Schools across the nation are neglecting the power and uses of language to build up the language and literacy resources of children that arrive to school with a history of oral traditions. Presenting school contexts as a space of authoring would undoubtedly create greater equity and access for others to learn about their lived experiences that make up a part of their educational experiences.

INTRODUCTION: Since 2006, the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended routine vaccination of adolescent girls at ages 11 or 12 years with 3 doses of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Cervical cancer disparities exist for several populations in the United States. The topic is scantly documented in scholarly literature with modest knowledge of the uptake of the HPV vaccine in the Delta region. AIM: To examine the HPV vaccination coverage estimates in the counties and parishes that comprise the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and compare with other non-DRA counties or parishes and the rest of US. This will provide vaccination coverage estimates for adolescent females in the DRA designated Delta region that will provide public health professionals with data for policy and programmatic decision-making. METHODS: We combined data from multiple survey years (2008-2012) from the National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen). We conducted bivariate analyses to describe the distribution across selected socio-demographic characteristics and multivariable logistic regression models to produce adjusted prevalence ratios. RESULTS: Teens in the DRA had lower HPV vaccine initiation and completion rates compared to Non- DRA counties or parishes and the Rest of the US. The 3-dose HPV vaccination series completion rate among those who had initiated HPV vaccination and had 24 weeks between their first dose and the NIS interview date was 60.9% (95% CI: 55.8 – 65.8) among adolescent females in the DRA compared to 66.9 (95% CI: 63.7-70.0) of adolescent females in the Non-DRA counties and 67.6% (95% CI: 66.2-69.0) in the rest of the US. CONCLUSION: The low HPV vaccination coverage among adolescents in the DRA showed that it is important to implement additional strategies to increase HPV vaccination coverage that will prevent cancers associated with HPV in the DELTA Region. Stronger provider recommendations and awareness are important for increasing HPV vaccine uptake.

This research focussed on the following issues: • The underrepresentation of female teachers in educational management posts • The teacher's perception of intrinsic promotional barriers. The investigation into the female teacher's perception of intrinsic promotional barriers as reason for her underrepresentation, was based on a study of available literature. Her femininity and female attitudes are held responsible for her underrepresentation. Documented intrinsic perceptions are • sex roles and sex-role typing • sex-role socialisation • societal stereotyping • psychological expectations • motivation and career expectations • role conflict. The female teacher's perception of intrinsic.barriers, as identified by the study, was empirically verified by means of a structured questionnaire. The study concludes with a summary, deductions and recommendations drawn from the research. Intrinsic promotional barriers that are experienced by the female teacher, include: • Sex roles and the influence of sex-role typing • Role conflict. Intrinsic promotional barriers that were not widely experienced by female teachers were: • Sex-role socialisation • Societal stereotyping • Psychological expectations • Motivation and career expectations. The recommendations were that the principles of equality and non-discrimination should be reinforced, the use of "educator" instead of "teacher" encouraged and an enquiry into extrinsic barriers to promotion, followed by the implementation of a management development programme. / Thesis (MEd)--PU for CHE, 1998

Unemployment is the most popular indicator of the country’s economy. As popular as it is, it remains difficult to define and to measure. This is the reason why different economists have different views of where South Africa really is as far as the unemployment rate is concerned. Female unemployment in South Africa is relatively high and much attention should be given on that issue. Some females are uneducated; others lack the skills while others are discouraged due to lack of vacant positions within their area. The consequences of unemployment are devastating and remain one of the most significant challenges for South Africa (Naude & Serumaga-Zake, 2001:261). These consequences range from decreased standards of living to degradation of society as a whole through crime, and community unrest (Barker, 1995:113). This study aims to investigate the factors that have an influence on the employment status of females in Bophelong Township, to determine if variables such as age, marital status, education level and income have any causal effect on the employment status of females. The results of this study will then help policy makers to create and design strategies that will help achieve the objective of unemployment reduction. / MCom (Economics) North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014

This research focussed on the following issues: • The underrepresentation of female teachers in educational management posts • The teacher's perception of intrinsic promotional barriers. The investigation into the female teacher's perception of intrinsic promotional barriers as reason for her underrepresentation, was based on a study of available literature. Her femininity and female attitudes are held responsible for her underrepresentation. Documented intrinsic perceptions are • sex roles and sex-role typing • sex-role socialisation • societal stereotyping • psychological expectations • motivation and career expectations • role conflict. The female teacher's perception of intrinsic.barriers, as identified by the study, was empirically verified by means of a structured questionnaire. The study concludes with a summary, deductions and recommendations drawn from the research. Intrinsic promotional barriers that are experienced by the female teacher, include: • Sex roles and the influence of sex-role typing • Role conflict. Intrinsic promotional barriers that were not widely experienced by female teachers were: • Sex-role socialisation • Societal stereotyping • Psychological expectations • Motivation and career expectations. The recommendations were that the principles of equality and non-discrimination should be reinforced, the use of "educator" instead of "teacher" encouraged and an enquiry into extrinsic barriers to promotion, followed by the implementation of a management development programme. / Thesis (MEd)--PU for CHE, 1998

Physical activity has multiple health benefits, however, physical activity can also lead to the development of excessive exercise, disturbed eating patterns, negative body image and social physique anxiety. This study investigated the relationship between social physique anxiety (SPA), physical activity type, frequency of physical activity, and motives to exercise. Participants were female undergraduates (N=108) enrolled at the University of Victoria. Female students were recruited from Exercise, Physical and Health Education classes that were open to all students from different faculties. A cross-sectional survey assessed social physique anxiety, frequency of physical activity and motives for exercise as well as dividing students according to physical activity type (Varsity, Intramural, High Strenuous Exerciser, Low Strenuous Exerciser). An analysis of variance revealed no association between SPA and physical activity type. Additionally, correlations showed that SPA and frequency of physical activity was not significant. Interestingly, SPA was significant for all motives that include Interest (r=-.371, p<.01), Competence (r=-.330, p<.01), Appearance (r=.430), Fitness (r=-.215, p<.05), and Social (r=-.406, p<.01). A linear regression revealed that only Appearance and Social motives predicted SPA. / Graduate / 0573 / 0347 / 0566 / fawniar@uvic.ca

In the last few years, many more women than before have entered the labour force. Consequently, employed women are confronted with demanding aspects at work and at home and experience difficulty in combining obligations in both of these domains. The pressure of the demands in their work place and family lives combined with managing the responsibilities from their work and personal lives can have a negative impact on the health of employed females. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of work characteristics, borne characteristics and negative work-home interaction on the ill-health of employed females in South Africa. An availability sample (N = 500) was taken from six provinces of South Africa, including the Eastern Cape, the Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, the North West and Western Cape. A job characteristics questionnaire, a home characteristics questionnaire, the 'Survey Work-Home Interaction Nijmegen' (SWING), and an ill health questionnaire were administered. Exploratory factor analyses were used to determine the construct validity of the questionnaires, Cronbach alpha coefficients were used to determine the reliability, while multiple regression analyses were used to identify significant predictors of ill-health. The results indicated that physical ill health could be predicted by a lack of role clarity and pressures at home. Predictors of anxiety were work overload, a lack of support from colleagues, uncertain roles in the workplace, home pressure as well as negative Work-home interaction (WHI) and negative Home-work interaction (HWI). Fatigue was predicted by work pressure, work overload, a lack of autonomy at work, a lack of instrumental support at work, a lack of role clarity, pressure at home and negative WHI. Predicting factors of depression were found to be job insecurity, a lack of autonomy and clearly defined roles at work, pressure at home, a lack of autonomy at home as well as negative HWI. / Mini-dissertation (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

This study considered if Zambian girls and young women who had lost parents to AIDS described themselves in resiliency terms, where did their resilience comes from, and how did I think it related to attachments they reported in the context of their life histories. I conducted semi-structured life history interviews with 18 participants (13 – 22 years old), who lost parents to AIDS, before 15 years of age. The analysis included a description of the life histories of four representative participants, a content analysis, which revealed 12 concepts that emerged from the data, and my interpretation, connecting the themes to attachment and resilience theory. I found that all but one of the participants reported having the capacity to keep going and credited this strength to a supreme spiritual being (God), and it seemed that they viewed God, as a surrogate attachment figure, who provided them with their necessities.

The Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD) plays a critical role in creating assessment tools, producing policies endorsing ‘best practices’, assuring and alleging equity and safety in its child welfare practices that affects the lives of vulnerable children in government custody. Regardless of their efforts, reports of sexual violence against children in government custody continue to emerge. The overrepresentation of Aboriginal girls in the foster system saturates the industry with Aboriginal female children vulnerable to sexual violence and creates the conditions for long term suffering as a result of child sexualized abuse at the hands of ministry caregivers. In this study a qualitative interview method was used to speak to key informants who are Aboriginal female survivors of the foster care system to explore the effects of and responses to sexual abuse in the foster care system in BC. This research specifically looks at the lives and health of Aboriginal girls who have experienced sexualized violence in foster care. It looks at their accomplishments and successes regardless of the sexualized violence and of the social responses they received regarding the sexualized violence. The research also explores the challenges the girls and women have experienced as a result of the sexualized violence. In addition, this research makes recommendations around professional and therapeutic intervention and prevention. / Graduate / 0452 / 0534 / 0453 / rachelle_dallaire@yahoo.com