The thesis deals with connections between attachment and eating disorders (EDs) in females. It is divided into two sections - literature review and research. In the literature review, we define key subjects of the thesis, i.e. eating disorders and the concept of attachment. The research section is based on quantitative research. The research aims to explore 1) the relationship between ED risk and the dimension of attachment avoidance - anxiety within the concept of attachment, 2) the relationship between ED risk and early memories of warmth and safeness, and 3) if the dimension of attachment avoidance - anxiety within the concept of attachment and early memories of warmth and safeness increase the probability of EDs. The research was conducted via online questionnaire survey. The research sample consisted of 570 females in young adulthood (aged 20-30). The measures used in the research include Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the ECR scale, and the EMWSS scale. The findings for our research sample suggest a statistically significant positive relationship between the dimension of attachment avoidance in the ECR scale and "Bulimia and Food Preoccupation" and "Oral Control" subscales in EAT-26. There has also been found a statistically significant positive relationship between the dimension of...

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Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a mental disorder that negatively affects personal health and burdens the global health system. Alcohol-attributed harms can also extend beyond the drinkers to other people in the society through increased road traffic accidents and more interpersonal violent behaviors. The effects of this disorder make it crucial to investigate predisposing mechanisms in order to identify at-risk individuals and further develop novel interventions. Although aberrant learning and dysfunctions in decision-making have been observed in individuals with AUD, it is not yet clear whether they predispose the development of risky drinking behaviors or result from repetitive alcohol use. To disentangle this, we studied the drinking behaviors of a community sample comprising participants who were 18–24, which is when the prevalence of alcohol use typically peaks. This thesis investigates whether two types of learning mechanisms—the balance between goal-directed and habitual control and the susceptibility to interference between Pavlovian cues and instrumental behaviors—are associated with the development of risky alcohol drinking behaviors. For Study 1, we assessed how goal-directed and habitual controls at 18 predispose alcohol use development over the course of 3 years. Goal-directed and habitual control, which are informed by model-based (MB) and model-free (MF) learning, were assessed with a two-step sequential decision-making task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Three-year drinking trajectories were constructed based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C; assessed every 6 months) and a gram/drinking occasion measure (binge drinking score; assessed yearly). Latent growth curve models were applied to examine how the MB and MF controls were associated with the drinking trajectories. We found that MB control was negatively associated with the development of the binge drinking score trajectory. In contrast, MF reward prediction signals in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the ventral striatum (VS) were associated with a higher starting point and a steeper increase/less decrease in AUDIT-C, respectively. For Study 2, we investigated the cross-sectional association between the susceptibility to interference between Pavlovian cues and instrumental behaviors and risky (binge) drinking behaviors at age 18. During a Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) task, the participants were instructed to “collect good shells” and “leave bad shells” while the appetitive (monetary gain) or aversive (monetary loss) Pavlovian cues were presented in the background. The behavioral interference PIT effect was characterized by an increased error rate (ER) during incongruent trials (“collecting good shells” in the presence of an aversive Pavlovian cue or “leaving bad shells” during the presentation of an appetitive Pavlovian cue) in comparison to congruent ones. Overall, the individuals demonstrated a substantial behavioral PIT effect. Neural PIT correlates were found in the VS, dorsomedial, and lateral prefrontal cortices (dmPFC and lPFC, respectively). High-risk drinkers, in comparison to low-risk drinkers, exhibited a stronger behavioral PIT effect, decreased lPFC responses, and increased trend-level VS responses. Moreover, the effective connectivity from the VS to the lPFC during the incongruent trials was weaker for the high-risk drinkers, which indicates that the altered interplay between bottom-up and top-down neural responses may contribute to the poor interference control performance of this group. During Study 3, we further examined whether the susceptibility to Pavlovian cues during conflict trials was associated with the development of drinking behaviors over 6 years from ages 18 to 24. The drinking behaviors were again constructed based on the AUDIT-C and the binge drinking score. The PIT task was assessed at ages 18 and 21. Following Study 2, the increased ER in the incongruent condition compared with the congruent condition (along with the neural responses in the VS, lPFC, and dmPFC during the incongruent trials) were included in the latent growth curve models as predictors. A stronger VS response during a conflict at age 18 was associated with a higher starting point in both drinking trajectories but was negatively associated with the development of the binge drinking score trajectory. At age 21, high ER and enhanced neural responses in the dmPFC were associated with a risky AUDIT-C trajectory that started to emerge and develop until age 24. Through exploratory cluster analyses of the drinking trajectories, we identified two subgroups: the drinking behavior in the 'late riser' group escalated after age 21, whereas the drinking of 'early peakers' culminated at this age and then declined. The late risers displayed enhanced dmPFC responses and higher ER during conflict at age 21. Interestingly, this group also exhibited an increased ER from ages 18 to 21. Taken altogether, the unbalanced goal-directed to habitual control, informed by less MB and more MF control, appears to be a strong predisposing candidate mechanism that underlies the development of risky drinking behaviors during young adulthood. At age 18, the susceptibility to interference between Pavlovian cues and instrumental behaviors was associated with risky drinking behavior. The development of risky drinking behaviors over the 6 years was associated with the behavioral interference PIT effect at age 21 and its change from ages 18 to 21. Researchers could further explore the dynamics in PIT to predict risky drinking behaviors in the future.

The aim of this thesis is to provide the generationally authentic view of the issue of young men's and women's relationships with the focus on mapping their expectations and emotional needs satisfaction. The theoretical part describes the period of young adulthood that is specific exactly to a relationship build-up. The next part of the paper focuses on the phenomenon of love, problems of a partner choice and men's and women's specific expectations and emotional needs. The last chapter covers sexuality that is a natural part of relationships. The thematic areas are always accompanied by a pedagogical point of view because education has the significant impact in a partnerships formation. The practical part contains the survey of 60 respondents. The subject was young men's and women's expectations in a relationship. The main goal was to determine which expectations young men and women start a relationship with. The key result is the fact that men and women have different expectations in a relationship but they agree about the expectation of mutual love and understanding.

<p>Syftet med studien har varit att ta reda på de idéer som unga vuxna (18-24 år) med psykiskt funktionshinder har kring hur en sysselsättningsverksamhet skulle vara uppbyggd och om det är möjligt att någon form av organiserad verksamhet kan hjälpa dem i övergången till vuxenlivet. Metoden som användes var en kvalitativ intervjustudie. Urvalet var fem personer, tre män och två kvinnor, som har kontakt med Stockholms läns landstings öppenpsykiatriska mottagning eller Täby kommuns socialpsykiatriska enhet. Teoretiska utgångspunkter har varit symbolisk interaktionism. I studien kan utläsas att det är viktigt för gruppen unga vuxna med psykiskt funktionshinder att få möjlighet till ett socialt liv utanför hemmet. Några känner sig ensamma med sin problematik, men menar att det skulle gå lättare om de fick stöd och hjälp att ta sig vidare av någon som förstår deras problematik och kan finnas till hands när de behöver extra stöd. Ett resultat är att de unga vuxna tycker det är av vikt att få stöd med studier och arbete i övergången till vuxenlivet och att det inom dessa verksamheter finns människor som tar hänsyn till deras funktionshinder. Ytterligare ett resultat visar att de unga vuxna upplever att det är svårt att få den hjälp de behöver. Slutsatsen är att det behövs ett närmare samarbete mellan landsting och kommun, kanske i en ny organisation som skulle kunna erbjuda både medicinska och rehabiliterande åtgärder för att kunna erbjuda unga vuxna en bra verksamhet. En sådan verksamhet skulle även kunna inrymma samarbete med övriga aktörer som arbetsförmedling, försäkringskassa, gymnasium och högskola.</p>

Syftet med studien har varit att ta reda på de idéer som unga vuxna (18-24 år) med psykiskt funktionshinder har kring hur en sysselsättningsverksamhet skulle vara uppbyggd och om det är möjligt att någon form av organiserad verksamhet kan hjälpa dem i övergången till vuxenlivet. Metoden som användes var en kvalitativ intervjustudie. Urvalet var fem personer, tre män och två kvinnor, som har kontakt med Stockholms läns landstings öppenpsykiatriska mottagning eller Täby kommuns socialpsykiatriska enhet. Teoretiska utgångspunkter har varit symbolisk interaktionism. I studien kan utläsas att det är viktigt för gruppen unga vuxna med psykiskt funktionshinder att få möjlighet till ett socialt liv utanför hemmet. Några känner sig ensamma med sin problematik, men menar att det skulle gå lättare om de fick stöd och hjälp att ta sig vidare av någon som förstår deras problematik och kan finnas till hands när de behöver extra stöd. Ett resultat är att de unga vuxna tycker det är av vikt att få stöd med studier och arbete i övergången till vuxenlivet och att det inom dessa verksamheter finns människor som tar hänsyn till deras funktionshinder. Ytterligare ett resultat visar att de unga vuxna upplever att det är svårt att få den hjälp de behöver. Slutsatsen är att det behövs ett närmare samarbete mellan landsting och kommun, kanske i en ny organisation som skulle kunna erbjuda både medicinska och rehabiliterande åtgärder för att kunna erbjuda unga vuxna en bra verksamhet. En sådan verksamhet skulle även kunna inrymma samarbete med övriga aktörer som arbetsförmedling, försäkringskassa, gymnasium och högskola.

The concept of self-compassion has been gathering interest for researchers in recent years, as it appears to offer an array of benefits to wellbeing. This study investigated the potential role of self-compassion as a protective factor against disordered eating behaviors. It also examined the mediating roles of three potential variables: body dissatisfaction, perfectionism and contingent self-worth. Given modern representations of the female ideal, failure to achieve or adequately conform to such standards often poses psychological challenges for women and girls. Self-compassion encompasses kind, mindful self-treatment and may be an ideal protective factor against disordered eating. It has also been linked with lower body dissatisfaction, maladaptive perfectionism, and contingent self-worth. The present study found that dissatisfaction with one’s body, as well as a tendency to judge one’s personal worth based on appearance fully mediated the relationship between self-compassion and both restrained and emotional disordered eating respectively. Therefore, a self-compassionate attitude may serve as a protective factor against engaging in disordered eating vis-à-vis strengthening young women’s abilities to look at their bodies in a more compassionate and unconditionally accepting way. / text

The thesis deals with the problems of a young adult human being's self-concept from the psychological point of view. The influence of the social elements on the start in an adult life can be observed through individualism, consumerism and quality of life, which all affect the two most important parts of life ? the work and human relations. The main part of the thesis focuses on the self-concept issues of a young adult in correlation to the (dis)satisfaction in the social roles as all the roles include various expectations. The dissatisfaction can be caused by preferring the ideal "myself" which is not in accordance with the actual requirements of the social environment. This can have a negative impact on the self-concept and individual's functioning within the community and society. The individual turns his attention to the social worker when having self-concept problems that might result in mental difficulties. The theoretical starting points are applied to some particular areas of the social work (social work with the young adults, social work with families, marital and family consultancy).

13 | P a g e SUMMARY In South Africa’s rapidly changing social and cultural context, where family dynamics and relationships are changing just as quickly, it is essential to discover which factors contribute to successful relationships that persist over time. Previous research has utilised the Investment Model Scale (Rusbult, 1980) in order to understand commitment processes and the constructs satisfaction, quality of alternatives and investment have been identified as key determinants of commitment in romantic contexts. In the present study however I investigated the primary research question, “How can commitment be measured in the context of family relationships?” Data collection took place through the Family Commitment Scale (which was adapted from the Investment Model Scale) and a new meaningfulness scale was added in an attempt to explore whether meaningfulness would be a better predictor of family commitment than satisfaction, quality of alternatives and investment. The statistical analyses were conducted with the purpose of examining the research question and hypotheses. The findings of the present study contribute to commitment literature by underlining the utility of the Invest Model Scale in nonromantic contexts and providing an instrument which can reliably measure family commitment. Meaningfulness is also highlighted as a motivational feature behind family commitment processes. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

The master's thesis deals with the connections between the experience in the primary family and the differentiation phase of the partnership in the period of young adulthood. In the literature review part, the basic areas of this work are gradually defined - primary family, young adulthood and partnership. When describing the primary family, I focus mainly on the important developmental tasks of the child to successfully manage the transition to adulthood and the formation of a lasting relationship. The chapter about young adulthood describes the characteristics of this phase from different angles. At the end of the theoretical part, I focus on defining the partnership, including the mechanisms of partner selection and description of the phases of the partnership. The empirical part is conceived as a qualitative research, which aims to map the differentiation phase of the partnership of young adults and the activities of the primary family. The main method of collecting data on couples is a semi-structured interview, which is further expanded by questionnaire methods and the technique of mental maps. The information obtained through semi-structured interviews is processed using the method of thematic analysis. The outputs reflect important areas of the primary family and characterize the...