Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2004. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-97).

This research introduces the concept of “brand addiction” as a new marketing construct. Employing conceptual development, the concept of brand addiction is defined as a psychological state that entails an obsessive relationship between the consumer and a specific brand. To examine the phenomenon of brand addiction, the present research was designed based on a partial sequential mixed methods research in which a qualitative study was followed by a quantitative study. Arguing that research on brand addiction should be built based on an understanding of how consumers experience this phenomenon in reality, the research incorporated a series of four qualitative focus group studies to uncover the possible core features, motives, and consequences of the brand addiction prototype using discursive psychological perspective. Survey data were subsequently used to generate the brand addiction measurement scale and to test the brand addiction theoretical model. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the brand addiction measurement scale employed 14 core elements. In addition to the brand addiction core features, the brand addiction prototype comprises brand trust, ideal, and actual self-image congruence and fashion interest as its antecedents. Furthermore, the brand addiction prototype includes the feeling of guilt, appearance esteem, debt attitude, and life happiness as its consequences. This research concludes with a presentation and discussion of the theoretical and managerial implications. The research findings provide an understanding of and deep insights into the brand addiction phenomenon, thereby adding to the existing body of literature.

Föreliggande studie hade som syfte att öka kunskapen om kärleksberoende som fenomen. Studiens frågeställningar berörde hur ett kärleksberoende yttrar sig samt om det går att likställa med andra beroendeformer. Semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med tio kvinnor vilka definierade sig själva som kärleksberoende. Intervjumaterialet analyserades tematiskt och resulterade i fyra teman; Relationernas karaktär, Likheter med andra beroenden, Riskfaktorer samt Tillfrisknande. Resultatet visade att studiens deltagare hade ett tvångsmässigt förhållande till destruktiva relationer. De beroendeframkallande mekanismerna som framkom var framförallt förälskelse och romantiska och dramatiska spel i en kärleksrelation. Vidare fanns en kongruens mellan kriterierna för kärleksberoende och de för andra beroendeformer (DSM-IV-TR, 2000), det var dock omöjligt att utesluta alternativa förklaringar till benägenheten att ha destruktiva kärleksrelationer. Ett anknytningsteoretiskt perspektiv applicerades på studiens resultat och påvisade ett samband mellan otrygg anknytning till primära anknytningspersoner i barndomen och utvecklandet av kärleksberoende i vuxen ålder. Ökad forskning om kärleksberoende krävs för att anpassa diagnostik för denna grupp samt ge bättre tillgång till samhällets stödinsatser.

individuals who self-identify as sex addicts, unique health and social consequences are not well understood because of factors, such as stigma. It is important that the nursing community understand this phenomenon to address, understand, and provide sensitive and meaningful care. However, there is limited research on this topic. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of individuals who self-identify as sex addicts. Through snowball sampling, five men and five women between 27 to 45 years old, and older. participated in the phenomenological study. Meaning units and themes were revealed through the participants' experiences as follows: A Connecting with Others: 1. Reaching Out 2. Seeking Shared Understanding 3. Connecting with Your Higher Power B Managing Stigma: 1. Revealing Concealing C Integrating the Past for Recovery: 1. Reflecting Triggers 2. Overcoming Powerlessness. D Being Vigilant: 1. Intentional Refocusing 2. Living an Honest Life E Giving of Oneself: 1. Informing Others 2. Doing Service. The overall structure synthesized from the meaning units and themes was: "The lived experience of seeking health in recovery from sex addiction is dancing on the outer circle, connected to a community that understands fear, shame and the struggle to remain vigilant for pitfalls while intentionally refocusing on living an honest life of giving and receiving." Seeking health incorporates a holistic, community involved, multifaceted approach to recovery. Understanding how individuals seek health in recovery provides a framework to impart meaningful, sensitive nursing care. / by Lawren Mundy. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Canterbury. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-60). Also available via the World Wide Web.