Thesis (Ph.D.)--Aberdeen University, 2008. / Title from web page (viewed on Feb. 24, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Royal Roads University, 1999. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Freiburg (Breisgau), University, Diss., 2005.

Thesis (doctoral)--Philipps Universität Marburg/Lahn. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 307-314).

Thesis (M.Pub.Health) - University of Queensland, 2006. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (doctoral)--Ruprecht-Karl-Universität in Heidelberg, 1972. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. [451]-469).

Tierärztl. Hochsch., Diss., 2003--Hannover.

Issued also as thesis, Columbia University. / Contains errata slip. Microfilmed for preservation. DNLM

Background: We are very individualistic in how we present ourselves to the world. Whilst we are healthy and self-caring we have control over the way we undertake self-groom. Once we need care the situation may change. In the setting of health and social care the emphasis has been on hygiene; aspects of personal grooming [PG] may be overlooked. Few studies exist in the health and social care literature that explore this crucial daily activity of living. Aim: This study aims to address the imbalance on what is known of PG. It seeks to thoroughly explore the concept of PG, identifying the normative activities involved, and the age-related behaviours that occur across the lifespan. Methods: Utilising a grounded theory [GT] methodology, an eclectic data collection approach was taken. Consequently a pilot group, four focus groups (child-focused; males 18-45; females 18-45; over-46), and a visual methodology formed the first phase of the study. The second phase consisted of a formal concept analysis, drawing on literature and data from the focus groups. The final phase of the study involved one-to-one semi-structured interviews with retired persons. A total of 26 participants took part in the study and both genders were represented. Analysis was undertaken using the range of coding consistent with a GT approach and the notion of constant comparison. Findings: New knowledge on PG emerged; an academic definition of PG; PG was found to have ‘four elements’: hygiene, appearance management behaviours, body modification and enhancement. There was a ‘spectrum’ of grooming recognised, which ranged from the wild, un-groomed state to that of being over-groomed. The term ‘allo-grooming’, which means grooming of another, was used to explore the part families play in social learning about PG. A timeline of PG behaviours was created to illustrate how PG changes over the lifespan. Additionally, information on grooming activities, other than those of hygiene, was recorded. Implications: PG is complex and the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach of concentrating on hygiene may not meet the needs of service users. Some body areas, for example, are not included in the published documents that help to guide care services. There appears to a gap in educational programmes of health and social care workers, in respect to PG. Recommendations for practice, policy, education and further research are proposed.

Wellness refers to the optimal state of being. A review of literature indicated that leisure time physical activity (LTPA), academic stress, leisure satisfaction, and perceived problem solving ability (PPSA) are prominent factors contributing to an individual’s wellness. However, the underlying mechanism of how these factors affect wellness has not been explored. The purposes of this cross-sectional study were (1) to examine the relative contribution of LTPA, academic stress, leisure satisfaction, and PPSA to wellness of university students in Hong Kong; (2) to find out whether gender impacted the LTPA, academic stress, leisure satisfaction, PPSA, and wellness scores. A total of 712 participants took part in this study by completing a questionnaire on a voluntary basis. After data cleaning, 691 cases were used for further analyses using SPSS 17.0 and LISREL 8.7. Findings of this study indicated that university students in Hong Kong had moderate wellness perception (M = 4.09, possible range = 1 -6) and academic stress levels (M = 2.83, possible range = 1 -5). Male students reported higher level of wellness in physical domain while female students had higher level of wellness perception in social domain. Female students also reported higher academic stress in psychosocial aspect. Results from the study suggested that PPSA and leisure satisfaction were the most significant contributing factors to wellness among male and female students but in different order. This study also found that 62.5% of the students did not take part in enough LTPA to the level that could bring health benefit to them. Based on these findings, recommendations were made to promote wellness among university students in Hong Kong.