Eating disorder symptoms are serious and prevalent problems in industrialized societies. Although many studies have individually investigated the influence of environmental factors on the development of eating disorder symptoms, few have considered the relative and cumulative impact of various contexts within the same study. The current study was conducted to examine the influence of the mass media, mothers, and peers on the development of eating disorder symptomology in male and female adolescents using an ecological model proposed by Bronfenbrenner (1977, 1979, 1986, 1988, 1995). Specifically investigated were students' perceptions of pressures exerted by the media and significant others to lose weight and be physically attractive. Tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade adolescents in a suburban community were surveyed through self-report questionnaires; the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), select subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), and a modified version of the Multidimensional Media Influence Scale (MMIS). Multivariate analyses of variance indicated that female students acknowledged higher levels of eating disorder symptomology and higher perceived pressures from mothers and the media than did males. Significant grade level differences were found only in levels of body dissatisfaction between sophomores and juniors. Canonical correlations showed that those students who perceived greater pressures across environmental contexts also reported more eating disorder symptomology. Further analyses of these findings are described. Implications for future research and prevention programs are discussed. / Department of Educational Psychology

The purpose of this study was to explore the psychosocial phenomena of self-esteem in relation to gucose control in diabetic adolescent girls living in the Inland Empire. Three central themes emerged: body image, peer acceptance, and stress.

Differences in self-reported depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and coping were evaluated in two groups of pediatric oncology patients: newly diagnosed (less than six months post-diagnosis) (n=5) and patients on cancer treatment for seven months or longer (n=5). Participants (6 males, 4 females, ages 7-17 years) completed the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), and the Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventory (CFSEI-2); nine of the ten participants discussed in a semi-structured interview their personal experiences and feelings about having cancer. Although the newly diagnosed group had a higher mean score on the CDI than the 7 months or greater group, the difference was not significant (p = .054). The newly diagnosed group also had higher mean state and trait anxiety scores on the STAIC, indicating higher anxiety levels, and a slightly lower CFSEI-2 mean score, indicating slightly lower self-esteem than the 7 months or greater group, but differences were not at a statistically significant level (p>.05).

D.Litt et Phil. (Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / The goal of this study is to understand the phenomenon of self mutilation by adolescents, with whom there is no developmental or mental barrier, from an educational-psychological perspective. A literature study was undertaken to investigate the nature, classification, causes and treatment of self mutilation, as well as the Educational Psychological Relations Theory. The self mutilation of adolescents was placed within the Educational Psychological Relations Theory framework. The research results showed that selfmutilation, with adolescents with whom there is no developmental or mental barrier, is a symptom of disharmonic intra- and interpsychic processes, as it is understood within the Educational Psychological Relations Theory. Self mutilation is used as a coping mechanism to regulate unpleasant emotional experiences. The empirical study also showed that an impoverished educational climate contributes to the development of self mutilation by adolescents. / Die doel van hierdie studie is om die verskynsel van selfmutilering by adolessente, by wie daar nie ontwikkelings- of geestesgestremdheid aanwesig is nie, vanuit 'n opvoedkundig-sielkundige perspektief te verstaan. Aan die hand van die literatuurstudie is die aard, klassifisering, oorsake en behandeling van selfmutilering, asook die Opvoedkundig-Sielkundige Relasieteorie verken. Die Opvoedkundig-Sielkundige Relasieteorie is as raamwerk gebruik waarbinne die verskynsel van selfmutilering by adolessente ondersoek is. Die navorsingsresultate het aan die lig gebring dat selfmutilering, by adolessente by wie daar nie geestes- of ontwikkelingsgestremdheid teenwoordig is nie, 'n simptoom is van disharmoniese intra- en interpsigiese gebeure soos dit verstaan word binne die Opvoedkundig-Sielkundige Relasieteorie. Selfmutilering word gebruik as 'n verdedigingsmeganisme waarmee onaangename belewinge gereguleer word. Die empiriese studie het ook getoon dat 'n onbevredigende opvoedingsklimaat 'n groot bydrae lewer tot die ontwikkeling van selfmutilering by adolessente. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (with specialiation in Guidance and Counseling)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / The goal of this study is to understand the phenomenon of self mutilation by adolescents, with whom there is no developmental or mental barrier, from an educational-psychological perspective. A literature study was undertaken to investigate the nature, classification, causes and treatment of self mutilation, as well as the Educational Psychological Relations Theory. The self mutilation of adolescents was placed within the Educational Psychological Relations Theory framework. The research results showed that selfmutilation, with adolescents with whom there is no developmental or mental barrier, is a symptom of disharmonic intra- and interpsychic processes, as it is understood within the Educational Psychological Relations Theory. Self mutilation is used as a coping mechanism to regulate unpleasant emotional experiences. The empirical study also showed that an impoverished educational climate contributes to the development of self mutilation by adolescents. / Die doel van hierdie studie is om die verskynsel van selfmutilering by adolessente, by wie daar nie ontwikkelings- of geestesgestremdheid aanwesig is nie, vanuit 'n opvoedkundig-sielkundige perspektief te verstaan. Aan die hand van die literatuurstudie is die aard, klassifisering, oorsake en behandeling van selfmutilering, asook die Opvoedkundig-Sielkundige Relasieteorie verken. Die Opvoedkundig-Sielkundige Relasieteorie is as raamwerk gebruik waarbinne die verskynsel van selfmutilering by adolessente ondersoek is. Die navorsingsresultate het aan die lig gebring dat selfmutilering, by adolessente by wie daar nie geestes- of ontwikkelingsgestremdheid teenwoordig is nie, 'n simptoom is van disharmoniese intra- en interpsigiese gebeure soos dit verstaan word binne die Opvoedkundig-Sielkundige Relasieteorie. Selfmutilering word gebruik as 'n verdedigingsmeganisme waarmee onaangename belewinge gereguleer word. Die empiriese studie het ook getoon dat 'n onbevredigende opvoedingsklimaat 'n groot bydrae lewer tot die ontwikkeling van selfmutilering by adolessente. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (with specialiation in Guidance and Counseling)

D.Litt. et Phil. ( Psychology) / A literature survey has confirmed that the growing number of cancer survivors in general are experiencing both physical as well as psychological and social adaptation difficulties following their cancer treatment. This is no different for patients diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma (bone sarcomas) during adolescence. At present there is no formal psychosocial intervention program available to the patients presenting with Ewing and Osteosarcomas. Because of the multicultural nature of the patients as well as the fact that many childhood and adolescent cancers do not include major surgery, as is the case with bone sarcomas, the direct applicability of generalized psychosocial intervention programs for adolescents with cancer other than bone sarcoma is doubtful ...

The purpose of this study was to explore the lives of overweight/obese adolescent boys. A qualitative case study focused on depth of understanding. Four boys volunteered to participate in the study. Findings further our understanding of the adolescent boys’ lifescapes; viable and non-viable recruitment strategies among this population; ethical obligations of ending research after establishing trust and rapport; and “Avoidance” as an Idiom of Distress among this sample of boys. Suggestions for future research are addressed in the study. / vi, 102 leaves ; 29 cm

The purpose of this study was to examine sociocultural and psychological correlates of bulimic symptomatology and drive for thinness in a sample of nonclinical female adolescents.

The overall purpose of this mixed method study was to describe adolescents’ experiences of ease while enduring treatment for cancer. Specifically, the study used avatar image-guided story-sharing (AIGSS) to explore adolescent sense-of-self, experiences of feeling uneasy, descriptions of qualities of ease, and best places for finding ease during treatment. The innovative research approach used in this study incorporated avatar images representing ‘ease’ in typical environments. By testing a developmentally relevant approach, AIGSS, to explore ease for adolescents enduring cancer, this study addressed a pressing need for meaningful approaches to engage adolescents in health-related dialogue about what matters most. While 10 qualities captured adolescent ease (beauty, fun, safety, strength, connectedness, calmness, rest, comfort, independence, and familiarity), connectedness, strength, fun, rest, and safety were the most significant qualities of ease threaded throughout stories. Two themes of self-reflected identity emerged: (a) valued personal qualities (extrinsic/admired) and (b) infused unique demeanors. Three themes described adolescent uneasiness during cancer treatment: (a) persistent uncertainty, (b) fearful anticipation, and (c) disrupted self. While home was most conducive for ease, personal meaning was given to the hospital enabling finding ease. This new knowledge is foundational for nurses who support adolescents during cancer treatment. This research lays the groundwork to re-define ease as a relevant outcome of quality nursing care, focusing on positive outcomes rather than catastrophic ones such as infection and death. Advancing caring science with interactive participative research enhanced communication with adolescents, having implications for both clinical research and pediatric oncology nursing practice. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection