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Forty right-handed women, half who had been classified as depressed, the other half nondepressed, participated in a tachistoscopic study of the influence of depression on the cerebral hemispheric processing of Ekman and Friesen’s (1976) happy, sad, and neutral emotional faces. A dynamometer was also used as a standardized measure of hemispheric motor functioning such as hand grip strength, perseveration, and fatigue. Results indicated that the depressed women were characterized by elevated levels of both depression and anxiety, suggestive of an agitated, depressive state with heightened arousal. Further, depressed as compared to nondepressed women displayed significantly faster reaction times to sad faces presented their right visual fields and happy faces presented their left visual fields. For the dynamometer data, primary findings indicated that depressed women displayed significantly less perseveration at the left hand as compared to nondepressed women. There was also a trend for depressed as opposed to nondepressed women to show less perseveration at the right hand. These findings from both the tachistoscope and dynamometer data are suggestive of differential arousal of both the left and right cerebral hemispheres and are discussed in light of arousal theory. / Master of Science

The effects of a multifaceted weight loss program on the body weight, body composition, plasma variables, and nutrient intakes of 50 obese black women were investigated. Subjects were between 20 and 51 years of age, with an average BMI of 34.5 (range = 23.6 - 57.3). Subjects attended nutrition education/behavior modification classes once per week for three months. Thirty-five of the women attended 80% or more of the classes (NU). Twenty-eight women attended 30% or more of the low-impact aerobic exercise classes that were offered three days per week, for six months. An average 2.2 kg weight loss was observed for the whole study group, as body fat fell, and lean body mass increased by 2.1% of total body weight. Slightly greater changes were observed in the group that exercised consistently, as well as those who regularly attended nutrition classes, but not in either of the groups which more sporadically attended exercise or nutrition classes. Significant reductions in plasma total cholesterol, HDL-Cholesterol, HDL₂-Cholesterol, and insulin were observed for the group of 50 subjects. Significant reductions in plasma TC occurred in both the SE (attended between 30 to 70% of exercise sessions) and SN ( < 80% attendance of nutrition classes) groups. Plasma LDL-Cholesterol followed the same pattern as plasma total cholesterol but there were no significant differences. Exercise appeared to mitigate decreases in plasma HDL-C. Significant reductions in total Kcal, including CHO, protein, fat (including saturated, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated fatty acids), dietary cholesterol, and sugar were noted for the study group. A weight-loss program which included diet, nutrition education, behavior modification, stress management and exercise was effective in producing favorable changes in body composition, plasma variables, and dietary components in obese black women over six months, with a high degree of variability in motivation and participation. / Master of Science

The purpose of the present study was 1) to begin exploring the relationship between female gender role stress and eating disorders and 2) to validate the ability of the Feminine Gender Role Stress scale (FGRS; Gillespie, 1990) to distinguish between women who are more likely to evidence behavioral and physiological reactivity to a "feminine" (body image) stressor than a neutral control condition. The FGRS scale was developed to measure the cognitive tendency among women to appraise specific situations as stressful due to commitments, beliefs, and values that are a product of the traditional female gender role. It was proposed that women with high female gender role stress, as measured by this scale, should display more reactivity when female stressors are encountered. This hypothesis was tested by selecting women who scored high and low on the FGRS scale and subjecting them to a situation found to be more stressful for women than for men during which physiological and psychological distress were monitored. The stressor entailed a body-image-threat physical exam and interview which was designed to be a stressor relevant to body image disturbance and eating disorders. The experimental design was a 2 (High verses Low FGRS women) by 2 (Stress condition verses a Control condition) factorial design with cardiovascular reactivity and self-reported anxiety as dependent variables. The results supported the predicted interaction between FGRS and Stress Condition on heart rate reactivity. High FGRS women in the Stress Condition evidenced greater heart rate reactivity than Low FGRS women or participants in the Control Condition. Support for experimental hypotheses was found in a Similar trend for interaction for systolic blood pressure reactivity, whereas diastolic blood pressure reactivity was less supportive. It is believed that the FGRS scale can distinguish which women will evidence stress in situations which challenge traditional female gender role values and beliefs. Therefore, the FGRS may have utility for determining which women are more vulnerable to developing female predominant psychopathology, such as eating disorders. / Master of Science

A violência contra a mulher tem se revelado uma importante questão de saúde pública, pois além de promover o aumento de morbidade e mortalidade quando relacionada à saúde da mulher, tem o potencial de provocar conseqüências ainda mais desastrosas, como ocorre na violência durante a gravidez, comprometendo também a saúde de seus descendentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a violência doméstica entre as mulheres que receberam assistência ao parto em uma maternidade de baixo risco de Ribeirão Preto - SP. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo do tipo transversal, realizado na Maternidade do Complexo Aeroporto (Mater). A amostra constituiu-se de 547 mulheres que receberam assistência ao parto no período de julho a setembro de 2006. Os dados foram coletados no puerpério, durante a internação no alojamento conjunto, em local privativo e sem a presença de acompanhantes, após assinatura do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. O instrumento utilizado para a coleta de dados foi um questionário contendo 41 perguntas, elaborado para ser utilizado em serviços de saúde. Os dados foram processados e analisados no programa Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS, versão 11.5). Na análise, realizou-se distribuição simples de freqüência, Teste Qui-quadrado (X2) ou Teste Exato de Fisher para verificar a associação entre as variáveis e Razão de Chance (RC) e intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95% para estimar a associação. Observou-se que 58,5% das mulheres entrevistadas sofreram algum tipo de agressão ao longo da vida pelo parceiro e 19,6% sofreram durante a gestação. Em relação à violência perpetrada por outras pessoas, notou-se que 52,3% sofreram algum tipo de agressão alguma vez na vida e 15,0% sofreram durante a gestação. A prevalência de mulheres que sofreram violência, alguma vez na vida, pelo parceiro foi maior entre as que: eram solteiras, separadas, divorciadas ou viúvas; não tinham um relacionamento na época ou tinham parceiros, mas não moravam juntos; pertenciam aos estratos econômicos D e E; engravidaram no mínimo três vezes; tiveram aborto; consumiram bebida alcoólica pelo menos uma vez por semana antes ou durante a gestação; usaram drogas ilícitas alguma vez na vida; agrediram fisicamente alguém; referiram medo de alguém próximo; se sentiam controladas pelo parceiro; viram o companheiro alcoolizado alguma vez durante a gestação e referiram que o companheiro usava ou usou drogas ilícitas. Além dos fatores de risco acima relacionados, a violência doméstica pelo parceiro durante o período gestacional também foi maior entre as mulheres que: consideravam-se negras ou pardas; iniciaram a vida sexual antes dos 15 anos e relataram que o companheiro usava bebida alcoólica pelo menos uma vez por semana. Portanto, o estudo comprovou a alta magnitude da violência doméstica entre as mulheres que receberam assistência ao parto em uma maternidade de baixo risco em Ribeirão Preto - SP e, dessa forma, espera-se que os resultados possam contribuir para uma maior visibilidade do problema, enfatizar a necessidade de se desenvolver uma assistência integral e auxiliar no adequado delineamento das políticas de saúde que envolvam a saúde da mulher. / Violence against women has revealed to be an important public health issue as, besides leading to increased morbidity and mortality in terms of women\'s health, it has the potential to provoke even more disastrous consequences. This is the case of violence during pregnancy, which also jeopardizes the children\'s health. This study aimed to analyze domestic violence committed against women who received delivery care at a low-risk maternity hospital in Ribeirão Preto - SP. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out at the Airport Complex Maternity (Mater). The sample consisted of 547 women who received delivery care between July and September 2006. Data were collected in the puerperal period, during hospitalization at the rooming-in unit, in a private space and without the presence of companions, after the signing of the Free and Informed Consent Term. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire with 41 questions, elaborated for usage in health services. Data were processed and analyzed in Statistical Package for the Social Science software (SPSS, version 11.5). The analysis involved simple frequency distribution, the Chi- Square Test (X2) or Fisher\'s Exact Test to check for associations between the variables and a 95% Odds Ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI) to estimate the association. It was observed that 58.5% of the interviewed women suffered some kind of aggression by their partner during their life, and 19.6% while pregnant. What violence committed by other people is concerned, it was found that 52.3% suffered some kind of aggression at some point in their life and 15.0% while pregnant. The prevalence of women who suffered violence committed by their partner at some point in their life was higher among: single, separated, divorced or widowed women; without a relationship at that time or with partners, but without living together; who belonged to economic groups D and E; got pregnant at least three times; had an abortion; consumed alcoholic beverages at least once per week before or during the pregnancy; used illicit drugs at some point in their life; physically attacked someone; indicated fear of a close person; felt controlled by their partner; witnessed their partner under the influence of alcohol at some point during the pregnancy and mentioned that their partners used or were using illicit drugs. Besides the above mentioned risk factors, domestic violence committed by the partner during pregnancy was also greater among women who: considered themselves black or mulatto; started sexual life before the age of 15 and mentioned that their partner used alcoholic beverages at least once per week. Thus, the study proved the great extent of domestic violence among women who received delivery care at a low-risk maternity in Ribeirão Preto - SP. Hence, it is expected that the results can contribute to a greater visibility of the problem, emphasize the need to develop integral care and help in the adequate outlining of health policies involving women\'s health.

by Pui-hing Wong. / Thesis (M.S.W.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-122). / Questionnaire also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.ii-iii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.iv / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.v -vii / CHAPTER / Chapter 1 --- INTRODUCTION / The Research Problem --- p.1 / Research Objectives --- p.4 / Research Methodology --- p.4 / Significance Of The Research --- p.4 / Organisation Of The Thesis --- p.5 / Chapter 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW / Introduction --- p.6 / Migration And Its Impacts --- p.6 / A Simple Concept Of Migration --- p.6 / A Concept Based On Uprooting --- p.7 / Female Immigrants --- p.9 / Their Adjustment Problems --- p.9 / Their Health Conditions --- p.11 / The Importance Of Social Support --- p.11 / The Chinese Female Immigrants In Hong Kong --- p.13 / Concept Of Social Support --- p.16 / Definition --- p.17 / Measurement --- p.19 / Its Relationship With Health --- p.23 / Concept Of Health --- p.26 / Summary --- p.28 / Chapter 3 --- CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK / Introduction --- p.29 / Delineation Of The Role of Social Support --- p.30 / Social Network --- p.31 / Support System --- p.32 / Research Questions --- p.34 / Operational Definitions --- p.35 / Summary --- p.37 / Chapter 4 --- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY / Introduction --- p.38 / Design --- p.38 / Sampling --- p.38 / Procedure --- p.40 / Instrument Used --- p.40 / Scale Measuring The Social Network --- p.40 / Scale Measuring Health --- p.42 / Analysis --- p.43 / Summary --- p.44 / Chapter 5 --- RESULTS / Analysis --- p.45 / Discussion --- p.59 / Chapter 6 --- SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS / Summary --- p.83 / Implications Of The Study --- p.84 / Directions For Further Research --- p.86 / APPENDICES --- p.88 / Appendix I: The Questionnaire --- p.88 / Appendix II: The English Version of The Questionnaire --- p.101 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.117

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of multiple forms of abuse (physical, psychological, and sexual) on later psychopathology (depression, anxiety, and somatic complaints as assessed by the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist -HSCL) among two ethnic groups (non-Hispanic Caucasian and Hispanic).

Researchers have provided evidence that living in intimate partner violence while pregnant negatively impacts the health of both the women and their unborn children. The purpose of this narrative study was twofold, first to gain understanding of the meaning of health as described by pregnant women who lived in intimate partner violence, and second to gain strategies for health care professionals. Six purposefully selected women participated in two interviews. The data were arranged under five themes: loss of body health, loss of mind health, loss of spirit health, coping with loss of body, mind and spirit health, and advice for health care professionals. The results revealed that these women’s health was negatively affected by living in intimate partner violence while pregnant. Universal screening, coalition building, further research, changes in health care policies, and changes in nursing education and practice are needed to properly address this serious health issue. / xi, 153 leaves ; 29 cm

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is aimed at exploring mental health services for low-income women in the West Coast I Winelands Region of South Africa. In order to understand the extent to which such services are empowering, the accessibility and theoretical underpinnings of these services are investigated. It was found that although services appear to be available, they are often not very accessible. They also often lack a specific gender focus. In certain instances, services need to increase their accessibility in order to accommodate the restrictive environments of women in this region. As such, it is believed that services require greater integration in their approach to intervention concerning both gender and the origins of mental health problems. Results of this study also highlight areas on which future research could focus. These areas include language of service provision, how organizations understand available theories surrounding service provision, and the service needs of women in this region themselves. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is gemik op die ondersoek van geestesgesondheidsdienste vir vroue van lae-inkomste groepe in die Weskus I wynverbouingstreek van Suid Afrika. Die toeganklikheid en teoretiese onderstuttngs van hierdie dienste word ondersoek in In poging om die graad waarin delke dienste bemagtigend is, te verstaan. Bevindinge toon dat dienste, albeit beskikbaar voorkom, dikwels nie baie toeganklik is nie. Dienste toon ook meestal 'n gebrekkige fokus ten opsigte van 'n spesifieke geslag. In sekere gevalle behoort die toeganklikheid van dienste verbeter te word in 'n poging om die beperkende omstandighede van vroue in hierdie streek tegemoet te kom. As sulks benodig dienste 'n hoër mate van integrasie in hul benadering tot intervensie, beide wat geslag en die oorsprong van geestesgesondheidsprobleme betref. Bevindinge lig ook areas uit waarop toekomstige navorsing kan fokus. Hierdie areas sluit die volgende in: die taal van diensvoorsiening, hoe organisasies beskikbare teorieë ten opsigte van diensvoorsiening verstaan, en die behoefts van die vroue in hierdie streek self ten opsigte van dienste.