This study developed and tested a model of midlife women's attainments, commitments and satisfactions under differing conditions of marriage and parenthood. The model proposed that life satisfaction for women is a function of three sets of influences: (1) adult status attainments, (2) home and work commitments, and (3) home and work satisfactions. These three sets of influences, in turn, are a function of three predetermined and correlated conditions: (1) health, (2) early childhood status and (3) educational attainment. The model was developed using data from a cohort of midlife women drawn from the National Survey of Families and Households. The model was then tested on subsamples from that cohort using LISREL 7. Tests of the model revealed both similarities and differences in the processes of attainment of life satisfaction for all midlife women, for those with and without husbands, and for those with and without children. In tests of the individual models, health and satisfaction with one's role at home were the primary factors influencing life satisfaction for women. Work commitment was also a significant, and negative, predictor. Tests of the model across stacked groups, however, failed to clarify specific structural differences due to marital or parental status. For women with and without husbands, differences in both the measurement and structural models across the groups were found to be statistically insignificant. For women with and without children, however, cross-group comparisons revealed significant differences in the measurement and structural models. Because of measurement differences, however, even statistically significant structural differences could not be considered meaningful estimates of variance in patterns of influence across the groups. This study provides only a beginning toward understanding the complex relations among midlife women's attainments, commitments and satisfactions. The proposed model fits the data better for women with husbands and for women without children than for other individually or jointly tested samples. Family formation appears to influence the process of attainments, commitments and satisfactions, but additional research is needed to continue to unravel the complexities of interrelationship. Yet, preliminary conclusions remind counselors and policymakers that traditional conceptions of status attainments are not the only considerations for career or life planning for women. / Ph. D.

Research on midlife women provided evidence of negative perceptions of and reactions to aging and its accompanying physiological and emotional changes. Previous investigations revealed a plethora of information about midlife physiological changes, but provided little other information pertinent to understanding perceptions of body image among middle-aged women. The purpose of this study was to examine a neglected population, middle-aged women, using an in-depth concept of body image. Interviews were conducted with 40 randomly selected middle-aged women ranging in age from 35-55 years. The body image survey consisted of instruments to assess the following concepts: physiological changes; body appearance; dissatisfactions and satisfactions about health, fitness, and physical appearance; others' appraisals of health, fitness, and physical appearance; and self-esteem. The conclusive finding from the multiple regression analysis was that there were no significant relationships between body image and self-esteem among middle-aged women. / M.S.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:37:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ligia Baruch de Figueiredo.pdf: 719273 bytes, checksum: fdcc684f5b483f711b64eca4d26287c6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-10-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work aims to understand beliefs, expectations and behaviors of women that lived long-standing marital sexuality and moved to post-marital sex. It is a qualitative research based on studies about gender, a concept formulated during the 70s in order to enlighten normative speeches that depart from anatomical differences between male and female to justify power inequalities between men and women. Five semi-driven interviews were conducted, involving women ranging from 46 to 70 years, at least 2 years divorced, since marriages standing for at least 20 years. Results showed interviewed women experiencing post-divorce new forms of sexual relationship. And even when expectations included finding a future partner, these women quite frequently indulged in sexual satisfaction by experiencing forms of relationship not even imagined at the time when their mothers lived. These changes may benefit men and women that by questioning beliefs and behaviors thought as typically masculine, become more reflexive and flexible / Este trabalho teve como objetivo compreender as mudanças nas crenças, expectativas e comportamentos de mulheres que viveram casamentos de longa duração e passaram pela transição de uma sexualidade conjugal para uma sexualidade pós-conjugal. Tratou-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa fundamentada nos estudos sobre gênero, conceito formulado na década de 1970 para tornar conscientes os discursos normativos que naturalizam as diferenças entre homens e mulheres, utilizando-se das características anatômicas entre os sexos para justificar as desigualdades de poder entre eles. Foram realizadas entrevistas semi-dirigidas com cinco mulheres entre 46 e 70 anos, divorciadas há mais de dois anos e que estiveram casadas por pelo menos vinte anos. Os resultados mostraram que as mulheres entrevistadas estão experimentando novas formas de relacionamento pós-separação. E mesmo quando as expectativas em relação ao futuro incluem encontrar um companheiro, na maior parte das vezes, essas mulheres desvinculam a satisfação sexual do apaixonamento e se permitem experimentações nos relacionamentos sexuais inimagináveis no tempo de suas mães. Estas transformações podem beneficiar homens e mulheres que, ao questionarem às crenças e comportamentos que são tidos como tipicamente masculinos ou femininos, se tornam mais reflexivos e flexíveis

No description available.

Postmenopausat women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have been reported to be stronger when compared to women who are not using HRT. The first goal of this study was to investigate whether muscle morphology was altered in women who use HRT when compared to women who do not use HAT. In addition, this study examined the combined effects of a 6-month moderate-intensity strength training (ST) routine and HRT on the neuromuscular system of early postmenopausal women. Because not all the women completed the ST, this study was separated into two separate analyses, baseline (n=17; 7 HRT, 10 non-HRT) and training (n=14; 6 HRT, 8 non-HRT). ST consisted of two exercises (squat and dead lift), two days a week, for 6-months. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were taken at baseline and 6-months after exercise training. Biopsy samples were sectioned and analyzed histochemically for muscle fiber type and fiber cross-sectional area (CSA). In addition, voluntary knee extension strength was assessed at 30��/sec using an isokinetic dynamometer at these two time points. At baseline there were no significant differences in knee extensor strength between groups (HRT: 443 �� 121 N, non-HRT: 490 �� 106 N). Regardless of hormone status, Type I fibers were significantly larger (p=.005) in GSA (Type I=3705 �� 877��m��; Type II=2790 �� 756��m��). However, there were significantly more Type II fibers (p<.0001) (61.5 �� 7.9% of total) and consequently, Type II fibers occupied significantly more total fiber area p=.00l2) (Type I=45.3 �� 7.4%; Type II=54.7 �� 7.4%). No significant differences were found in the fiber type distributions of the HAT (37.9 �� 2.5% Type I, 62.1 �� 2.5% Type II) and non-HRT (38.9 �� 2.9% Type I, 61.1 �� 2.9% Type II) groups. There were no significant differences in fiber CSA of Type I fibers (HRT: 3615 �� 886 ��m��, non-HRT: 3769 �� 912 ��m��) or Type II fibers (HRT: 2770 �� 722 ��m��, non-HRT: 2849 �� 804 ��m��) obtained from the two groups. Six months of ST had no effect on the strength, fiber CSA, and fiber type distribution for HRT and non-HRT subjects. These results suggest that HRT does not alter muscle strength, fiber type distribution, and fiber CSA in early postmenopausal women. / Graduation date: 2003

In order to develop effective interventions designed to encourage more middle-aged individuals to engage in regular exercise, there is a need to further understand the mechanisms involved in the decision to exercise. One appropriate conceptual framework involves future-oriented self-conceptions, or possible selves (Markus & Nurius, 1986). Possible selves, both hoped-for and feared, have been shown to vary over the lifespan in content and number (Cross & Markus, 1991), and to be predictive of future health behaviors (Hooker & Kaus, 1992,1994). The role of possible selves in the exercise context can be explored using the Stage of Change Model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983), which identifies participation as a process consisting of five identifiable stages. The purpose of this study was to examine the number and content of possible selves generated by individuals across stages of exercise behavior, in order to determine whether possible selves can differentiate those stages and be predictive of exercise-related behavior. Participants were 204 middle-aged women employed at a university in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Results indicated that differences in the number and content of open-ended possible selves across stage of exercise were relatively few, although differences that did exist held potential for future interventions. Of particular interest was the significant finding of possible selves related to body image, which differed by stage for both hoped-for and feared selves. Responses to focused possible selves directly related to exercise behavior showed a number of differences between stage of exercise, providing support for previous literature as well as for the methodology employed in the present study. Individuals whose self-efficacy and outcome expectancy associated with a particular possible self related to exercise was high, were most likely to engage in exercise behavior. Finally, when the strongest predictor of exercise behavior was combined with exercise self-efficacy, the variance accounted for by the possible self was negligible. Findings support the conclusion that possible selves are worthy of future research in the exercise domain, including the role of possible selves as an antecedent to exercise self-efficacy. Results are discussed in terms of past research, practical applications, and future research directions. / Graduation date: 1998

Syftet med forskningsrapporten är att undersöka hur kvinnor över femtio år använder en universitetsutbildning i formandet av sin framtidsstrategi. För att besvara våra forskningsfrågor har vi genomfört både en kvantitativ och en kvalitativ undersökning. Den kvantitativa undersökningen utgjordes av en postenkät som sändes till 30 kvinnor vid Linköpings universitet. Den kvalitativa metoden bestod av tre intervjuer med slumpmässigt utvalda respondenter från enkäten. Slutsatserna är baserade på våra resultat från enkäterna och intervjuerna samt den litteratur vi valt med anknytning till rapporten. Litteraturen berör bland annat begreppet livslångt lärande, som genom sin koppling till både arbete och utbildning fått en central roll i rapporten som helhet. Resultaten visar att önskan om utveckling, både gällande den yrkesmässiga kompetensen och på det personliga planet, har varit viktiga faktorer för beslutet att påbörja studier. Kvinnornas syn på mål och möjligheter handlar om att främja personlig utveckling, där nya utmaningar eller möjligheten till andra arbetssätt kan öka livskvaliteten. Ytterligare en slutsats som vi dragit är att man studerar på högskolan för att få möjlighet att stärka sin position på arbetsmarknaden. / The purpose of this research report is to examine how women, 50 years old or more, use their university education in establishing their future strategy. To answer our research question both quantitative and qualitative surveys were made. The qualitative method consisted of a questionnaire sent out to 30 women at Linköping university. The qualitative method consisted of three interviews with randomly selected women from the formerly mentioned group of responders. The conclusions are based upon the results from the questionnaries and the interviews, as well as the literature chosen for this research report. The literature deals with concepts such as lifelong learning. Being closely related to both work and education, lifelong learning became a key role for this study as a whole. The results show that the urge for development, both regarding professional competence and that of a personal level, has been an important factor in the process to start studying. The women´s views on the objectives and possibilities are about fostering personal growth, where new challenges or the alternative way of working can enchance life quality. Another conclusion is that by studying at the university the number of work options is increased. Thus the women strengthen their position in the labour market.

This ex post facto correlational study seeks to identify if a relationship between blood glucose values and vasomotor instability intensity exists. The population consisted of a convenience sample of seven type 2 diabetic postmenopausal women experiencing vasomotor instability living in Southern Alberta. This study hypothesizes that a significant negative correlation would be identified between these two variables based on research done by Dormire and Reame (2003). The correlational results suggest that a small to moderate significant positive relationship exists between blood glucose and vasomotor instability: increased vasomotor instability was associated with increased blood glucose values. Overall, this study suggests a relationship exists between blood glucose and vasomotor instability but causality or direction of this relationship cannot be determined. Further research studies are recommended to clarify and validate this research. In particular, such a study should include type 1 diabetic postmenopausal women, a larger sample size, and sampling a wider geographical area. / ix, 109 leaves ; 29 cm.

Depression is a major mental health problem for women. Several lines of evidence suggest that fluctuating levels of estrogen associated with various reproductive events are related to changes in mood. It has been hypothesized that estrogen may exert its influence on mood via its effect on the serotonergic system---a system frequently implicated in the regulation of mood. The major goal of the following study was to elucidate further the role of estrogen in mood regulation. To this end, we examined the role of estrogen in the mood-lowering effect of Acute Tryptohpan Deption (ATD), a technique designed to cause a marked lowering of plasma and brain tryptophan, and therefore brain serotonin levels, so that the effects of decreased serotonin on mood can be studied directly. We hypothesized that (1) exogenous estrogen may protect against the mood-lowering effects of ATD in postmenopausal women and that (2) a history of affective disturbance, particularly reproduction-related affective disturbance, would be associated with greater vulnerability to ATD as predicted by the kindling model of depression. Fifty-eight postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to treatment with estrogen (0.625 mg Premarin) or placebo in the context of prospective, double-blind, cross-over design. During the final two week sof the 12-week treatment phase, all participants completed one ATD test session and one nutritionally balanced amino acid control session. We found that: (1) treatment with exogenous estrogen significantly improved mood and menopausal symptoms as compared to placebo treatment, (2) ATD was associated with a significant lowering of mood in both groups, (3) treatment with estrogen did not protect women from ATD effects unless they responded to 11 weeks of treatment with exogenous estrogen with enhanced mood, and (4) a history of reproduction-related affective disturbance was associated with more dysphoric mood in response to ATD. In conclusion, these data provide further evi

Darbo tikslas – įvertinti vidutinio amžiaus moterų širdies ir kraujagyslių sistemos funkcinius rodiklius taikant šiaurietiškąjį ėjimą. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Įvertinti ir palyginti tiriamųjų širdies ir kraujagyslių sistemos funkcinius rodiklius taikant įprastą ir šiaurietiškąjį ėjimą ramybėje prieš ir po fizinio krūvio. 2. Įvertinti ir palyginti tiriamųjų širdies ir kraujagyslių sistemos funkcinius rodiklius, registruotus įprasto ir šiaurietiškojo ėjimo metu. 3. Įvertinti tiriamųjų širdies ir kraujagyslių sistemos funkcinius rodiklius atsižvelgiant į šiaurietiškojo ėjimo patirtį, psichoemocinę būklę. Tyrimo metodika: tyrime dalyvavo 27 vidutinio amžiaus moterys. Kiekvienos tiramosios širdies ir kraujagyslių sistemos funkciniai rodikliai buvo vertinami įpraso ir šiaurietiškojo ėjimo metu. Testavimo trukmė 40 minučių, iš kurių 5 minutes prieš ir po fizinio krūvio buvo ramiai sėdima, o 30 minučių buvo einama įprastu ar šiaurietišku ėjimu. Širdies ir kraujagyslių sistemos funkcinės būklės vertinimui buvo naudojama LSMU Kardiologijos institute sukurta kompiuterinė elektrokardiogramos analizės sistema „Kaunas–Krūvis. Mobiliam duomenų registravimui ir kaupimui tiriamajai buvo uždedamas ir įjungiamas duomenų registravimo modulis „Cardio Scout“. Rezultatai ir išvados: 1. Nustatyta, kad tiek po įprasto, tiek po šiaurietiškojo ėjimo po penkių minučių ramybės sąlygomis fiksuotas arterinis kraujo spaudimas buvo mažesnis, o ST amplitudė didesnė lyginant su prieš krūvį stebėtomis reikšmėmis... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Aim of the work: Evaluation of the cardiovascular system‘s functional parameters in middle-aged women when applying nordic walking. Objectives of the work: 1. Evaluation and comparison of the cardiovascular system‘s functional parameters in exploratory women when applying nordic and ordinary walking at rest, before and after physical load. 2. Evaluation and comparison of the cardiovascular system‘s functional parameters in exploratory women registered during nordic and ordinary walking. 3. Evaluation of the cardiovascular system‘s functional parameters in exploratory women taking into account their nordic walking experience and psychoemotional state. Methods: The cardiovascular system‘s functional parameters of each participant were evaluated by means of both nordic and ordinary walking. The evaluation lasted 40 minutes: participants sat 5 minutes before and after physical load and walked 30 minutes (nordic or ordinary walking). The data logging module “Cardio Scout” was applied to the collection and registration of data. For the evaluation of the cardiovascular system’s functional parameters the ECG registration and analysis system „Kaunas-load“ was used. Results and conclusion. 1. It was established that, after five minutes of ordinary and nordic walking,the arterial blood pressure mesured at rest was lower and the ST amplitude higher in comparison to the results obtained before physiocal load (p<0,05). After nordic walking, during recovery, the regulative system and the... [to full text]