Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between achievement self-esteem, self acceptance self-esteem and body composition in college women. Methods: One-hundred and fifty eight college women were recruited to participate in the study. Participants were healthy, between the age of 18 and 25 yrs, not taking medication that would alter metabolism, and able to participate in physical activity without restriction. As part of the study the participants filled out the Worth Index, which measured level of self-acceptance and achievement self-esteem. The questionnaire included four subscales: basic human worth, performance factor, personal security and appearance. Body composition was assessed using the BOD POD. Results: Participants in the study were 19.9 ± 1.7 yrs, had a BMI of 22.5 ± 3.2 kg/m² and a percent body fat of 26.4 ± 6.4. Source of self-esteem was primarily self-acceptance self-esteem with participants on average scoring 65 ± 11 out of 84 (high moderate) compared to an achievement self-esteem score of 35 ± 10 out of 84 (low moderate). When evaluating the subscales a similar trend appears with the exception of the performance factor, which was more normally distributed. Achievement self-esteem in appearance was positively correlated to percent body fat (p<0.05). Global self-esteem was not related to percent body fat in this population. BMI was negatively related to performance factor and appearance with self-acceptance self-esteem (p<0.05). Global self-esteem was significantly lower for individuals in the highest BMI category. Conclusion: College women who identified less with achievement self-esteem in the subscale of appearance had a lower percent body fat than women who identified more with achievement self-esteem in the subscale for appearance. Also, women who had a higher BMI identified less with self-acceptance self-esteem in the subscales of appearance and performance. Women who had a higher BMI had lower overall self-esteem.

Stories I Told Myself: A Memoir explores the experience of growing up gay in the 1980s. It is one boy's journey toward self-acceptance set against the conservative backdrop of a rural community on California's central coast. The story illuminates the hunger for a life different than the one being lived, and the ever-present sense of being different exacerbated by bullying and unrequited love. It is a narrative of evolving identity, and includes cultural insights and societal context of the time period. The author poses a fundamental question, "How did I make it out of the 80's alive?" and he explores the answer with poignant humor and self-examination. Mr. Crimmins shows that, beyond the constraints of time and place, the process of coming out remains an important and consistent element of the queer experience.

The present study was designed to obtain a sexual self-discrepancy score and to examine if it correlates with other variables that are linked with self-discrepancy theory, such as anxiety, depression, self-acceptance, and other-acceptance (homonegativity). We developed a measure based on self-discrepancy theory that theoretically assessed a participant's level of discrepancy between sexual beliefs and practices. The questions on sexual beliefs were based on the "ideal/ought" dimensions of self-discrepancy theory, and the questions on sexual practices were based on the "actual" self. There were less than 10 participants of the 294 respondents who reported sizeable discrepancies between their sexual attitudes and actual behaviors. This was problematic in light of the original research hypothesis, so a decision was made to treat the present study as exploratory in nature and examine potential correlations between beliefs, behaviors, and the study variables, as well as examine potential gender differences in beliefs and behaviors. Using the available data, I elected to regress the study variables on the two constructs that were pivotal to this study: sexual beliefs and sexual behaviors. Taken together, the study variables significantly predicted sexual beliefs. The individual variables that contributed significantly to the prediction of sexual beliefs were (in order of magnitude): religiosity, attitudes toward gays and lesbians, and self-esteem. Higher levels of religiosity, prejudice toward gays and lesbians, and low self-esteem were associated with limited acceptance of sexual activity. Age, self-acceptance, and symptoms of maladjustment were not associated significantly with sexual attitudes.

Disordered eating is a general term that describes a wide range of behaviors from diagnosable eating disorders to subclinical patterns of behavior that do not meet criteria for diagnosis (e.g., problematic weight loss behaviors, excessive dieting, bingeing, purging). Disordered eating is prevalent and has a wide range of physical and psychological consequences. Negative self-conscious emotions such as shame and guilt have been implicated in the development and maintenance of disordered eating. Positive attitudes toward the self (i.e., self-forgiveness, self-compassion, self-acceptance) may be helpful in reducing shame, guilt, and disordered eating symptoms. In this dissertation, I explored the associations between positive attitudes toward the self, negative self-conscious emotions, and disordered eating in a sample of college students and adults (N = 477). Positive attitudes toward the self were associated with lower levels of disordered eating symptoms, and this relationship was partially mediated by lower levels of negative self-conscious emotions. I concluded by discussing areas for future research and implications for clinical practice.

This thesis examines the role of self-acceptance in romantic relationships and the relationship between self-acceptance and individuals' adulthood attachment style. The theoretical part describes self-acceptance mainly in context of Person Centered Approach (PCA) and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), investigates methods of measuring self-acceptance, and puts it in relation to self-esteem, self- compassion, mindfulness, well-being and psychological health. Romantic relationships, adult attachment and their link to self-acceptance are also described. The empirical quantitative research was conducted on a sample of 155 respondents using Czech translation of the Unconditional Positive Self-Regard Scale (UPSRS), the Unconditional Self-Acceptance Questionnaire (USAQ) and Experience in Close Relationships - Relationship Structures (ECR-RS). The results show negative correlation of attachment Anxiety and partial negative correlation of attachment Avoidance and self-acceptance. Significantly higher scores of self-acceptance were found in individuals with a secure adult attachment style than in those with fearful and preoccupied adult attachment style. Based on empirical findings the similarity of self-acceptance and model of the self in adult attachment was proposed and self-acceptance was...

Forty-nine Cache Valley residents, between the ages of 18 and 45, who volunteered to participate in an assertion training class were assigned to one of seven groups. Subjects were administered pre- and posttests and a two month follow-up evaluation. Measures included Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, the Rathus Assertive Scale, and the Berger Self-Acceptance Scale. The results obtained indicate that self-acceptance and assertiveness changed as a result of assertion training and that these changes were maintained at follow-up. No difference between internals and externals was observed as a result of semi-structured assertion training.

A phenomenological-grounded theory methodology was utilized to explore the transformational healing journeys of five Caucasian men in recovery from pervasive shame in their lives. An overview of several western approaches to treating shame are included, as well as two predominant Universal Developmental theories of shame and its link to the resolution of narcissism. During the thematic analysis of the interviews, thirteen themes were derived, which constituted a chronological depiction of the story of shame, as it unfolded in the lives of the participants. Additionally, an in-depth look at the families of origin, and the beginnings of shame in the participants’ lives is presented, as well as a picture of how their lives are now, after recovery from their shame. Implications for counseling were addressed. / ix, 196 leaves ; 29 cm

Thesis ( M Ed (Learning support, Guidance and Counselling))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Le syndrome de l’imposteur peut être source d’une grande souffrance. Soixante-deux à 70% de la population peuvent être amenés à douter, ne serait-ce qu’une fois, de la légitimité de leur statut. Ces questionnements s’orientent sur l’impression de tromper les autres, sur les attributions de sa situation et sur la peur de voir son incompétence mise à jour. Malgré sa prévalence, peu d’études s’intéressent au caractère pathologique de ce syndrome, et encore moins à chercher des outils d’accompagnement adaptés. Les objectifs de ce travail étaient de valider un outil d’évaluation en français, et d’améliorer la compréhension de la dimension cognitive de ce syndrome.L’étude 1 est une étude quantitative menée auprès de 549 participants. Elle propose la validation du concept du syndrome de l’imposteur et la réalité d’un syndrome pouvant être pathologique. Les résultats démontrent différents profils d’imposteurs pour lesquels les comorbidités et leur vécu se révèlent différents.L’étude 2 est une étude quantitative menée auprès de 1597 participants. Elle a permis la validation de la Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) dans sa version francophone. Les résultats démontrent des bonnes qualités psychométriques du questionnaire. L’étude 3 est une étude quantitative menée auprès de 694 participants. Elle évalue les manifestations anxieuses inhérentes au syndrome de l’imposteur. Les analyses rendent compte de profils d’imposteurs différents. L’établissement d’un modèle d’émergence de ce syndrome a été suggéré afin d’interroger sa présence lors des périodes de grand stress de la vie. L’étude 4 est une étude quantitative menée auprès de 873 participants. Elle est axée sur l’intégration de l’acceptation inconditionnelle de soi comme outil pertinent de prise en charge des imposteurs. Elle propose de plus un profil cognitif de ces personnes au regard de la représentation de l’échec, des attitudes dysfonctionnelles et d’une faible acceptation inconditionnelle de soi. / The impostor phenomenon can represent a significant distress source. The literature suggests that 60-70% of the population questions their legitimacy at least once in their lives. These doubts focus on feelings of inadequacy or fraud, poor success attribution, and the fear of being exposed as an impostor. Few studies have explored the pathological aspects of the impostor phenomenon despite its prevalence. Moreover, to our knowledge too little research has been conducted to design adequate management tools. The research carried out for this thesis seeks to validate existing impostor phenomenon measures, the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), as well as better understand cognitive dimensions related to this syndrome.Study 1 was a quantitative study carried out on a sample of 549 participants. This study deals with the validation of the independent concept of impostor phenomenon as well as potential pathological aspects related to it. Results showed different impostor profiles both in intensity and impacts of this syndrome.Study 2 was a quantitative study carried out on 1,597-strong sample. The main objective was to validate an existing impostor phenomenon scale (CIPS) in French. The results demonstrated good psychometric validity for the French version.Study 3 was a quantitative study carried out on a sample of 694 participants. This study examined anxiety manifestations linked to the impostor phenomenon. The results demonstrated different profiles of impostors. A model was developed to help understand the manifestation of this syndrome during periods of severe stress and change.Study 4 was a quantitative study carried out on a sample of 873 participants. This study focused on unconditional self-acceptance as a useful method of appropriate therapeutic management linked to the impostor phenomenon. A cognitive profile of impostors was developed that helps account for irrational beliefs about failure, dysfunctional attitudes, and low unconditional self-acceptance.

As a doctoral student, I was asked to teach a course based on emerging technologies and postmodern methods of inquiry in the field of art education. The course was titled Issues and Applications of Technology in Art Education and I developed a method of inquiry called animated autoethnography for pre-service art educators while teaching this course. Through this dissertation, I describe, analyze, interrogate, value, contextualize, reflect on, and artistically react to the autoethnographic animated processes of five pre-service art educators who were enrolled in the course. I interviewed the five participants before and after the creation of their animated autoethnographies and incorporated actor-network theory within the theoretical analysis to study how the insights of my students’ autoethnographies related to my own animations and life narratives. The study also examines animated autoethnography as a method of inquiry that may develop or enhance future teaching practices and encourage empathic connections through researching the self. These selected students created animations that accessed significant life moments, personal struggles, and triumphs, and they exhibited unique representations of self. Pre-service art educators can use self-research to create narrative-based short animations and also use socio-emotional learning to encourage the development of empathy within the classroom. I show diverse student examples, compare them to my own animations, and present a new model of inquiry that encourages the development of self by finding place in chaos, loving the unknown, embracing uncertainty, and turning shame into a celebration of life.