This qualitative study was designed and conducted to hear the voices of military spouses who chose to live separately from the active duty spouse. The study also sought to identify potential risks due to the separation and protective factors that were used to positively cope with separation. Previous studies have examined risk factors for military spouses as a result of military induced separation such as deployment. However, no study has been conducted regarding separation by choice of the military spouse and active duty service member. The theory of resiliency provided an understanding of the presence of protective factors and resiliency. Data were collected from 8 military spouses, recruited through social media, using semistructured interviews, who provided details of their lived experience of voluntary separation. The study findings indicated that participants who were voluntarily separated from their active duty spouse were unhappy with the separation. All but 1 of the participants in the study experienced separation stressors such as being stressed, overwhelmed, lonely, and sad because to the separation. Negative psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety were experienced by military spouses voluntarily separated 7 months and longer. Social support, such as family, was identified by all participants in the study as a protective factor helping them cope with the separation. The findings of the study provide other military spouses with knowledge on voluntary separation. Additionally, federal and state mental health professionals and policy makers can gain better understanding and knowledge about this population to help foster positive mental health and designed laws to assist military spouses.

<p>Studien syftade till att studera risk- och skyddsfaktorer som kan finnas i miljön när ett barn växer upp med en förälder med missbruksproblematik och/eller psykisk ohälsa. Studien var kvalitativ och data samlades in via åtta semistrukturerade intervjuer. Systemteori och anknytningsteori utgjorde den teoretiska tolkningsramen. Studien resulterade i åtta teman: relationen till föräldrar, relationen till syskon, viktiga personer, skola, fritidsaktiviteter, upprätthållandet av en fasad, känsloreaktioner samt överlevnadsstrategier. Dessa teman beskriver både risk- och skyddsfaktorer. Samtliga respondenter i studien växte upp med en eller båda föräldrarna med missbruksproblematik och/eller psykisk ohälsa. Resultatet visade att majoriteten troligtvis hade en bra anknytning till en av föräldrarna vilket fungerade som en skyddsfaktor, medan den "sjuka" föräldern utgjorde en riskfaktor. Flertalet av respondenterna berättade att de höll upp en fasad mot omgivningen och att endast ett fåtal utomstående släpptes in i familjehemligheten. En del uppgav att det var på grund av det dåliga bemötandet från omgivningen, vilket kunde bero på de rådande värderingar och normer som fanns i samhället under respondenternas uppväxt.</p> / <p>The research was aimed to study risk and protective factors that can be present in the environment when a child grows up with a parent with substance abuse and/or mental illness. The study was qualitative and data was collected through eight semi-structured interviews. Systems theory and attachment theory provided the theoretical framework of interpretation. The study resulted in eight themes: the relationship with parents, relationships with siblings, important people, school, recreational activities, maintaining a facade, emotional reactions and coping strategies. These themes represent both risk and protective factors. All respondents in the study grew up with one or both parents with substance abuse and/or mental illness. This result showed that the majority of the respondents probably had a good attachment to one of the parents which acted as a protective factor while the "sick" parent acted as a risk factor. The majority of respondents said they kept a facade towards the environment and only a few outsiders were allowed into the family secret. Some said it was because of the attitudes that excisted in the environment, which could be due to the predominating values and norms that existed in the society during the time when the respondents grew up.</p>

The overall aim of this thesis was to examine the development and prediction of disturbed eating attitudes in girls aged 7–20 years. The four studies are part of a seven-year longitudinal project including 1279 girls in several age groups (7, 9, 11, 13, 15 years at inclusion) and their parents. Study I showed that among girls aged 11 and 13 years, in addition to a positive relation between disturbed eating attitudes and age, eating attitudes, higher BMI than peers, a less healthy relation to family, and fathers’ eating attitudes, predicted disturbed eating attitudes two years later. Study II demonstrated that girls aged 9–15 years, who wished to be thinner dieted more often, thought that they would be more popular if they were thinner, were skipping meals more often and had a higher BMI, over five years, compared with the girls without such a wish. Study III demonstrated an increasing trend in the wish to be thinner and dieting attempts between the ages of 9 and 18 years. Motives for wishing to be thinner were, e.g., “to feel better about yourself” and “to correspond to the societal ideal”. A majority of the girls adopted healthy weight control practices, but unhealthy and extreme methods were also used. In Study IV, among girls aged 9 and 13 years, a wish to be thinner, fathers’ eating attitudes and mothers’ perfectionism contributed most to the prediction of disturbed eating attitudes seven years later. Protective factors were low BMI and more healthy eating attitudes moderated by high self-esteem, and low-to-medium degree of perfectionism. In conclusion a wish to be thinner, higher BMI than peers, girls’ and fathers’ disturbed eating attitudes, mothers’ perfectionism and a less healthy relation to family predict the development of disturbed eating attitudes in girls. Low BMI and more healthy eating attitudes especially influenced by high self-esteem, and a low-to-medium degree of perfectionism protect against it. The “thin-ideal” is internalized early in girls and it is important to take a critical stand against the thinness ideal in our society, especially in families, and schools. / The IDA-Project

La presente ricerca nasce da una domanda di un territorio specifico che si è interrogato relativamente ai problemi emotivo-comportamentali dei bambini in età prescolare Tale richiesta ci ha sollecitato da un punto di vista teorico a porre l’attenzione da un lato, sul significato “clinico” dei problemi emotivo-comportamentali dei bambini, dall’altro sul processo di assessment e in particolar modo sulla prospettiva multi-informant . Tale prospettiva è stata nello specifico oggetto di riflessione e indagine empirica soprattutto nel primo studio dove si sono considerate con particolare attenzione le discrepanze tra gli informant e il loro possibile significato. La domanda di ricerca iniziale si è quindi ampliata fino ad affrontare l’individuazione dei fattori protettivi e di rischio nello sviluppo psicologico dei bambini in età prescolare. A questo proposito il secondo studio propone un modello multifattoriale per la comprensione delle problematiche emotivo-comportamentali dei bambini che tiene conto di aspetti individuali e di aspetti relazionali, familiari in primo luogo. Infine, il terzo studio vede l’utilizzo del modello teorico proposto nei i primi due studi su di un campione di genitori che si sono rivolti a un servizio territoriale arrivando a identificare gli elementi del modello che discriminano famiglie considerate normali da quelle definibili come cliniche. / This research developed from a need to answer specific questions about emotional-behavioral problems in preschool children. From a theoretical point of view, this need forced one to focus on the “clinical” meaning of emotional-behavioral problems in pre-school children and their assessment processes, especially from a multi-informant perspective. Particularly, this perspective was a topic of interest in an empirical investigation in the first study, where discrepancies between informants and their possible perceptions were considered with particular attention. The initial research question was expanded to deal with the identification of risk and protective factors in the psychological development of preschool children. On this regard, the second study proposed a multi-factorial model to understand the emotional and behavioral problems of children which took into account individual and relational aspects, including especially the family. Finally, the third study considered the use of a theoretical model proposed in the first two studies with a sample of parents who turned for help to social services to identify from the model critical elements that discriminated families which could be considered functional from those defined as clinical.

This study aims to explore how secondary prevention carried out at a Honduran institution for youth at risk is experienced by its professional workers and former residents. This qualitative research is based on ethnographic approaches conducted at Hogar de Niños Renacer, Tegucigalpa, which is a facility for institutional care of youth at risk. Renacer applies a holistic, multidimensional approach to preventive work by covering various dimensions of youth development such as needs for emotional care, education, and spiritual growth. All research participants claim that positive aspects of Renacer include the provision of such possibilities. The project is constantly developing and accommodates various areas in need of improvement such as acquiring sufficient, competent staff. The majority of individuals who have participated in Renacer‟s project are proven to establish a functioning adult life after leaving the institution.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of middle school students particularly focusing on the academic achievement of economically disadvantaged students. Existing data show that there is an increasing cohort of school children experiencing poverty, either short or long term. For poor middle school students, the risk for school failure is amplified by the general risks associated with middle school transition and early adolescence development. The cumulative nature of these risks is often associated with undesirable school outcomes including grade retention, behavior problems, absenteeism, delinquency, teenage pregnancy, school dropout, fewer years of schooling, and lower academic achievement. However, there is evidence that some students succeed in spite of adversity, which is often attributed to protective factors present in the students’ own immediate environment – school, home, and community. This current study, therefore, examined the relationship between two potential protective factors–parent involvement and school belonging–and student achievement. Previous research has established that parent involvement and school belonging are both associated with positive school outcomes including academic motivation, self-efficacy, internal locus of control, pro-social and on-task behavior, school engagement, educational aspirations and expectations, and better academic achievement. Consequently, this study examined three main questions: (a) How is parental involvement associated with academic achievement for economically disadvantaged eighth grade students? (b) How school belonging associated with academic achievement for economically disadvantaged eighth grade students? (c) Do the relations between parent involvement, school belonging, and eighth grade achievement vary as a function of prior achievement and middle school? To answer these research questions, this study used the nationally representative longitudinal data from Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten (ECLS-K) Class of 1998/99. The findings for this study showed that when parent involvement and school belonging were considered together, the association between parent involvement and student achievement diminished while school belonging consistently emerged as a significant predictor of achievement. However, while school belonging emerged as a significant predictor of achievement, this study established that students’ prior achievement was the single strong and significant factor explaining achievement for poor eighth grade students. / 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.

Šiame darbe atlikto tyrimo tikslas - išanalizuoti vaikų globos namuose gyvenančių paauglių psichologinio atsparumo ir sveikatai palankaus elgesio sąsajas. Tyrime dalyvavo 173 paaugliai, gyvenantys aštuoniuose vaikų globos namuose visoje Lietuvoje. Tyrime dalyvavo paaugliai nuo 11 iki 18 metų, 90 (52 %) berniukų ir 83 (48 %) mergaitės. Šiam tyrimui atlikti buvo sudarytas 99 klausimų klausimynas. Klausimynas susidėjo iš dviejų dalių. Pirmoji dalis buvo sudaryta remiantis The California Healthy Kids Survey klausimyno 2010 – 2011 metų moduliu B ir skirta ištirti paauglių psichologinio atsparumo ypatumus. Antroji dalis sudaryta remiantis Health Behavior Questionaire (Jessor, Donovan, Costa, 1992) pagrindu. Ja buvo siekiama išsiaiškinti paauglių sveikatai palankaus elgesio ypatumus. Tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad didėjant vaikų globos namuose gyvenančių paauglių psichologiniam atsparumui, daugėja sveikatai palankaus elgesio. Labiausiai vaikų globos namuose gyvenančių paauglių sveikatai palankus elgesys yra susijęs su namų, draugų, asmenybės apsauginiais veiksniais, o mažiausiai – su mokyklos bei visuomenės apsauginiais veiksniais. Taip pat didėjantis vaikų globos namuose gyvenančių paauglių psichologinis atsparumas susijęs su mažėjančiu paauglių rūkymu, alkoholio bei narkotinių medžiagų vartojimu, su geresniu paauglio mitybos dienos režimu bei tuo, ar paaugliui rūpi, kad jo maistas būtų sveikas. Be to, didėjant vaikų globos namuose gyvenančių paauglių psichologiniam atsparumui... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the study was to explore links between psychological resilience and positive health behaviour of adolescence in foster care. The subjects of the study were 173 adolescences, living in eight foster care homes in all Lithuania. Adolescences were from 11 till 18 years old, 90 (52 %) boys and 83 (48 %) girls. Questionnaire of 99 questions was made special for this study. Questionnaire consisted of two parts. First part of questionnaire was made by example of The California Healthy Kids Survey 2010 – 2011, module B. It was intended to explore psychological resilience’s features of adolescences in foster care. Second part of questionnaire was made by example of Health Behaviour Questionnaire (Jessor, Donovan, Costa, 1992) and it was intended to explore positive health behaviour’s features of adolescences in foster care. The results of the study showed that increasing of psychological resilience of adolescences in foster care is related with increasing of positive health behaviour. Positive health behaviour of adolescences in foster care, was related with protective factors of home, friends, personality most of all. Positive health behaviour of adolescences in foster care was related with protective factors of school and society least of all. Increasing of psychological resilience of adolescences in foster care is related with decreasing consumption of drugs, cigarettes, alcohol. Also increasing of psychological resilience of adolescences in foster care is related with... [to full text]

Au niveau mondial, la mort par suicide occupe fréquemment la deuxième ou troisième place des causes de décès chez les adolescents (AIPS, 2009). Afin de prévenir le suicide chez les jeunes, une meilleure compréhension des facteurs associés s’avère donc nécessaire. La présente étude avait pour but d’identifier les facteurs de protection d’adolescents atteints d’un trouble de l’humeur et présentant un risque suicidaire. Pour ce faire, un questionnaire relatant les habitudes de vie et facteurs psychosociaux a été analysé. Le risque suicidaire a été évalué à partir de la version adaptée pour adolescents du SAD PERSONS Scale (Juhnke, 1994). L’échantillon de l’étude comprenait 101 jeunes de 12 à 17 ans atteints d’un trouble de l’humeur et présentant un risque suicidaire. Des analyses descriptives, des tests de t, des analyses de variance, des corrélations et des régressions ont été utilisées afin de vérifier la relation entre le risque suicidaire et les facteurs de protection. Il ressort que, pour les adolescents de l’étude, être satisfait du soutien reçu, avoir un bon soutien affectif parental, avoir plusieurs sources de lecture par semaine, souper plusieurs fois avec sa famille par semaine, ne pas fumer de cigarette, ne pas avoir beaucoup d’amis qui fument la cigarette, ne pas consommer d’alcool, ne pas consommer de drogue ainsi que de ne pas mélanger la consommation d’alcool et de drogue peuvent tous agir, individuellement, comme facteurs de protection du suicide chez des adolescents atteints d’un trouble de l’humeur et présentant un risque suicidaire. Par ailleurs, les analyses effectuées ne révèlent aucune relation significative entre les habitudes scolaires, l’activité physique, les habitudes de sommeil, l’estime de soi et le risque suicidaire des adolescents de l’étude. Enfin, miser sur les facteurs de protection du suicide identifiés par la présente étude constitue une nouvelle piste intéressante pour les infirmières et des recommandations pour la recherche et la pratique infirmière sont suggérées. / Adolescent suicide often represents the second or third leading cause of death for this age group throughout the world (AIPS, 2009). In order to prevent adolescent suicide, a better understanding of the factors associated with suicidal risk is necessary. The aim of this study was to identify the protective factors of adolescents with mood disorders and suicidal risk. Life habits and psychosocial factors were evaluated by an auto-administrated questionnaire. The adapted version of the SAD PERSONS Scale (Patterson, Dohn, Bird & al, 1983) for children and adolescents (Juhnke, 1994) was used to evaluate the suicidal risk. The sample of this study included 101 teenagers, aged between 12 and 17 years old, who had a mood disorder and a suicidal risk. Descriptive analysis, T-tests, variance analysis (ANOVA), correlation analysis and multiple regressions were conducted to examine the relationship between the suicidal risk (dependant variable) and the life habits and psychosocial factors (independent variables). The results indicate that, for 12 to 17 year olds, being satisfied with the support received, having good parental support, having many different sources of reading, eating supper with their family frequently, not smoking cigarettes, not having many friends who smoke cigarettes, not drinking, not doing drugs and not drinking and doing drugs simultaneously can all act as individual protective factors for suicidal risk. On the other hand, the results of this study do not show any statistically significant relations between school habits, physical activity, sleep habits, self-esteem and suicidal risk for teenagers with mood disorders. Finally, examining protective factors seems to be useful in helping teens with mood disorders and suicidal risk. The results of this study encourage nurses to include protective factors in their evaluation of suicidal adolescents and interventions. Research and clinical recommendations are therefore suggested.