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This thesis examined body dissatisfaction and body change behaviors among adolescent girls and boys from a biopsychosocial framework. The contribution of biological, psychological and sociocultural factors were examined in relation to body dissatisfaction, weight loss, weight gain and increased muscle tone behaviors among early adolescent girls and boys. In particular, pubertal maturation, body mass index (BMI), perception of body shape and size and psychological factors, such as depression, anxiety, ineffectiveness, self-esteem and perfectionism, were examined as possible factors that may precipitate or maintain body dissatisfaction and engagement in body change strategies. The sociocultural factors evaluated were the quality of family and peer relationships, as well as the influence of family and peers in predicting the adoption of specific body change strategies. The specific mechanisms by which these influences were transmitted were also examined. These included perceived discussion, encouragement and modelling of various body change strategies, as well as perceived teasing about body shape and size. A number of separate cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were conducted to examine the above relationships and identify the factors that contribute to weight loss, weight gain and increased muscle tone behaviors in adolescents. Study 1 examined the psychometric properties and principal components structure of the Bulimia Test Revised (BULIT-R; Thelen, Farmer, Wonderlich, & Smith, 1991) to assess its applicability to adolescent samples. Study 2 investigated the nature of body dissatisfaction and weight loss behaviors among 603 adolescents (306 girls and 297 boys) using a standardised questionnaire. This preliminary study was conducted to ascertain whether variables previously found to be relevant to adolescent girls, could also be related to the development of body dissatisfaction and weight loss behaviors among adolescent boys. Studies 3 and 4 described the development and validation of a body modification scale that measured weight loss, weight gain and increased muscle tone behaviors. Studies 5 and 6 were designed to modify an Excessive Exercise Scale developed by Long, Smith, Midgley, and Cassidy (1993) into a shorter form, and validate this scale with an adolescent sample. Study 7 investigated the factors that contribute to weight loss, weight gain and increased muscle among adolescent girls and boys both cross-sectionally and longitudinally (over one year). Structural equation modelling was used to examine associations among self-reported body dissatisfaction, body change strategies and a range of biological, psychological and sociocultural variables both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Overall, the results suggested that both girls and boys experience body dissatisfaction and engage in a number of different body change strategies in order to achieve an ideal size. A number of gender similarities and differences were identified in the expression of body dissatisfaction and the adoption of body change strategies for both girls and boys. Girls were more likely than boys to report body dissatisfaction and engage in weight loss behaviors, while boys were more likely than girls to engage in weight gain and increased muscle tone behaviors. Generally, the same factors were found to contribute to weight loss, and more specifically, bulimic symptomatology, ad weight gain in both adolescent girls and boys. While a combination of biological, psychological and sociocultural factors contributed to bulimic symptomatology, only biological and psychological factors were found to contribute to weight gain in adolescents. The most notable gender differences were found in the model of increased muscle tone. Sociocultural and biological factors contributed to increased muscle tone behaviors in girls, while sociocultural and psychological factors were implicated in these behaviors in adolescent boys. With the exception of the model of increased muscle tone for boys, body dissatisfaction was a consistent factor in the adoption of body change behaviors. Consistent with previous investigations, the present thesis provides empirical support for the need to examine the etiology and maintenance of such concerns and behaviors from a multifaceted perspective.

L'adolescence est une période cruciale dans le développement, la consolidation et parfois le déclin de certaines habitudes de vie. Durant cette période, l'activité physique tend à diminuer avec l'âge, en particulier chez les filles. Fillactive est un organisme qui offre des services qui aident les écoles canadiennes à mettre en oeuvre des interventions d'activité physique spécifiquement dédiées aux adolescentes. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient d’évaluer les changements dans la pratique d’activité physique et les habitudes de vie (temps sédentaire, durée du sommeil et habitudes alimentaires) des participantes du programme Fillactive et de déterminer si ces changements variaient en fonction du respect des Directives canadiennes en matière de mouvement sur 24 heures et des recommandations du Guide alimentaire canadien à l'inscription. Lors de l’inscription et à la fin de l’année scolaire, 73 participantes ont répondu à un questionnaire en ligne. Les participantes ont rapporté une augmentation du nombre de journées actives et une diminution de la consommation quotidienne de sucreries à la fin du programme. Des analyses de sous-groupes ont révélé des changements plus importants chez celles qui ne rencontraient pas les recommandations canadiennes à l’inscription. Celles-ci ont augmenté de façon significative leur nombre de journées actives et leur consommation de légumes et de fruits, et ont diminué leur temps d’écran. Les résultats indiquent que la participation à Fillactive a le potentiel d’améliorer plusieurs habitudes de vie liées à la santé chez les adolescentes. D’autres études s’avèrent nécessaires afin d’explorer les effets de programmes d’interventions en activité physique chez les adolescentes. / Adolescence is a crucial time in the development, maintenance and sometimes the decline of different lifestyle habits. During adolescence, physical activity typically decreases with age, particularly in girls. FitSpirit is an organizaton that offers services that help Canadian schools implement physical activity interventions for adolescent girls. The objectives of this study were to evaluate changes in participants’ physical activity levels and lifestyle habits (sedentary time, sleep duration and eating habits) and to assess whether these changes varied on adherence to the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines and Canada’s Food Guide recommendations at enrollment. At the time of FitSpirit registration and at the end of school year, 73 participants answered online questionnaire. The participants reported improvements, with an increase in the number of days with physical activity and a decrease in daily consumption of sweets. Subgroup analyzes revealed greatest changes in those who did not adhere to the Canadian recommendations at enrollment. These participants significantly increased their number of days with physical activity and their consumption of fruits and vegetables, and decreased their screen time. The results indicate that participation in FitSpirit has the potential to improve several health behaviors among adolescent girls. More research is needed to explore the effects of physical activity intervention programs among adolescent girls.

Summaries in English and Shona / Introduction Despite wide spread information and knowledge of HIV and AIDS transmission, High school teenage girls continued to engage in risky sexual behaviour in Tshwane, a District of Gauteng Province of South Africa. Age-parity relationships between High school teenage girls and older men known as “Sugar Daddies” or “Blessers”, who showered High school teenage girls with money and expensive gifts, were believed to be spreading HIV. High school teenage girls failed to negotiate condom use due to lack of autonomy, coupled with sexual violence, resulting in HIV transmission. Consequently, Tshwane became one of the highest HIV burdened cities in South Africa. Purpose of the study This study explored and described the High school teenage girls’ knowledge and perceptions of the risks of human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Tshwane, a District of Gauteng Province of South Africa. Method The study used a quantitative approach. The data were collected using questionnaires. The population comprised of all girls aged 15 to 19 at a selected High school. The sample consisted of 109 girls. Systematic sampling was used. The study was conducted in the school hall of a selected High school. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23 program. Results Generally, the High school teenage girls’ HIV knowledge was very high (84.4%) as compared to their knowledge on AIDS (3.7%). Only 10.1% of the High school teenage girls knew what the window period entailed. They were aware of HIV preventive measures evidenced by abstinence ranking first (1) and had the highest score of five (5). 17.4% of the High school teenage girls doubted the usefulness of the condom in combating HIV infection. Health care workers were easily accessible (30.3%). The television was the most available mass media (92%). The radio was most preferred (31%). High school teenage girls preferred to discuss HIV related information with their peers and friends (50%). 42% of the High school teenage girls preferred to discuss sex related topics with parents or guardians. Those who were below 18-years were 7.2 times less likely to have sex. 90% of the 19-year-old girls had had sex. Therefore, High school teenage girls’ perception of HIV risk was low because they continued to be involved in concurrent multiple relationships although 90% of those involved were using condoms. Conclusion Although High school teenage girls proved that they had knowledge of HIV and AIDS, they still had a low perception of HIV risk because they were involved in concurrent multiple sexual relationships with older men. / Habedi, Debbie Kgomotso / Kunyangwe vane ruzivo rwechirwere cheshura matongo, vasikana vane makore ari pakati pegumi nematatu negumi nemapfumbamwe vari kuenderera mberi nekuita unhu unoita kuti vabatwe nechirwere cheshuramatongo (AIDS). Vasikana ava vari kudanana nevarume vakuru kuvadarika vamwe masadzimba zvinoita kuti vatapurirwe utachiona hweHIV zvinoita kuti vasikana vane hutachiona uhwu vawandise muguta reTshwane, mudunhu reGauteng munyika yeSouth Africa. Vanasikana ava vanopuwa mari nekutengerwa mbozhanhre nenguvo zvinodhura nekudya tunonaka. Nekuda kwekuti varume vanesimba rehudzvinyiriri nekuvarwisa, muAfrica, vasikana ava havakwanisi kushandisa makondomu kuzvidzivirira kubva kuhutachiona hweHIV. Ndosaka guta reTshwane raita mukurumbira munyika yeSouth Africa nekuti vanasikana vane hutachiona hweHIV vari kuwandisa. Gwaro iri rinoongorora nekutsanangura ruzivo uye maonero evanasikana huipi hwechirwe cheshuramatongo muguta guru reTShwane, mudunhu reGauteng. Munyika yeSouth Africa. Mafambiro Egwaro Gwaro iri riri kuongorora nekutsanangura ruzivo nemaonerwo anoitwa hutachiona hweHIV nechirwere cheshuramatongo nevasikana vari pakati pemakore gumi nemakore matatu nevanegumi nemakore mapfumbamwe pachikoro chesekonari chakasarudzwa mugutu guru reTshwane, mudunhu reGauteng, munyika yeSouth Africa. Vasikana vaka pindura mibvunzo pamusoro peruzivo rwavaiva narwo uye zvakanyangara zvinoita kuti vabatwe nehutachiona hweHIV. Vasikana zana nevapfumbamwe ndivo vakapindura mibvunzo. Vasikana vakapindura mibvunza yaiva pamapepa muhoro yepachikoro pavo. Zvakabuda Muchidzidzo Zvakaonekwa kuti vasikana vane ruzivo rwechirwere cheshuramatongo asi vane zvimwe zvinhu zvavasinga nzwisisi pamusoro pechirwere ichi zvekuzvidzivirira. Vasikana havakwanisi kupa mutsauko wehutachiona (HIV) nechirwere cheshuramatongo (AIDS). Vanasikana vazhinji vanofunga kuti hutachiona hweHIV hunotapurirwana pakutsvodana uye pakushandisa zvimbuzi. Vasikana vazhinji havakwanisi kutsanangura nguva inogara hutachina hweHIV mumuviri hwusati hwaonekwa kuti hurimo. Vasikana havana chokwadi chekuti makondomu anogona kudzivirira hutachiona hweHIV kuti hwusapinda mumuviri nguva dzebonde. Vadzidzisi vechikoro ndivo vakasarudzwa kuti vane ruzivo rwechirwere cheshuramatongo. Vasikana havafariri kudzidziswa nezve chirwere cheshuramatongo nevabereki vavo. Vanofarira kukurukura nezvechirwere ichi nevanhu vezera ravo. Vasikana vasingagari nevabereki vavo vanoita bonde kudarika vanogara nevabereki vavo uye vanoita bonde nevadiwa vazhinji vamwe vacho varume vakuru madzisaimba. Vasikana vanotaridza kusatya kubatwa nechirwere chishuramatongo nemhaka yehunhu wawo hwakashata hweku danana nevarume vazhinji uye kusashandisa makondomu nguva dzebonde. Mhendero Zvidzidzo zvinopiwa vasikana zvinechekuita nezvepabonde zvinofanira kuongororwa zvipamhidzirwe kuti vasikana vagone kuzvidzivirira kuchirwere cheshuramatongo. Madzimudzangara netelevhizhoni zvino kurudzirwa kudzidzisa mitambo nedzimbo dzinodzidzisa pamusoro pekudzivirira chirwere cheshuramatongo. Vabereki vanofanira kudzidziswawo kuti vagone kudzidzisa vana vavo kuti vagone kuzvidzivirira kuti vasabatwa nechirwere ichi. Vanasikana vanofanirwa kudzidziswa kushandisa makondomu pese pavanoita bonde. Makondomu anofanira kuiswa pachena paano kwanisa kuwonekwa nevasikana. / Health Studies / M.P.H. (Health Studies)

De nos jours, l’usage des outils de communication électronique chez les jeunes est largement répandu et donne lieu à de nouvelles opportunités d’exercer de violence dans les relations intimes, par exemple la surveillance, le harcèlement ou les cyberviolences sexuelles (CVS). Si beaucoup d’études ont porté sur les facteurs de risque associés à la CVS chez les jeunes, c’est-à-dire de contraindre une personne à aborder un contenu à caractère sexuel (photos ou messages) sans le consentement de la personne, peu de travaux se sont penchés sur les facteurs de protection. Plus précisément, la CVS a surtout été abordée sous l’angle des sextos, l’appréhendant comme un comportement délinquant et néfaste pour le bien-être des jeunes. S’appuyant sur un devis quantitatif, ce mémoire s’intéresse aux filles ayant vécu une expérience amoureuse et sexuelle sous un angle victimologique et cherche à documenter les facteurs de risque et principalement de protection luttant contre les CVS dans un contexte de relation intime. Un échantillon de 1 082 filles de 14 à 19 ans (âge moyen 16,7 ans) ont rempli un questionnaire en ligne, nous renseignant sur leur vie sexuelle et amoureuse, sur les événements de victimisation subis, ainsi que sur des facteurs personnels et relationnels associés. Les résultats indiquent que l’attachement romantique (types sécurisant et préoccupé), l’assertivité sexuelle (la capacité à refuser un contact sexuel non désiré et à initier un contact sexuel souhaité) et le soutien social perçu pourraient limiter les risques de vivre une CVS, alors que l’exposition à la violence familiale, une plus forte estime de soi sexuel et l’attachement craintif sont associés à un risque plus élevé. Ainsi, à la lumière de ces résultats, les programmes de prévention de la CVS devraient lutter contre la violence familiale, miser sur l’importance de développer un style d’attachement romantique sécurisant chez les adolescentes ainsi que le renforcement de l’assertivité sexuelle et l’établissement d’un réseau social de confiance. Enfin, il serait important d’accompagner les adolescentes dans l’expression de leur estime de soi sexuel qui se déploient dans leur utilisation des outils technologiques, tout en renforçant leur capacité à mettre leurs limites et en légitimant l’importance du consentement lorsqu’il est question de cybersexualité entre partenaires intimes. / Today, the use of digital communication tools among youth is widespread and new possibilities arise for cyber dating abuse such as surveillance, harassment, or sexual cyber violence (SCV). While many studies focus on risk factors linking teenagers to SCV, i-e the use of force to broach sexual content (photos or messages) without the consent of the person, few researchers have focused on protective factors. More specifically, SCV has mainly been analysed from a “sexting” perspective, a delinquent behavior which represent a threat to the well-being of the adolescents. This quantitative thesis focuses on teenage girls who had romantic and sexual experiences from a victimological viewpoint and seeks to document the risk and, primarily, the protective factors that would limit SCV. A sample of 1 082 girls between the ages of 14 and 19 (mean age 16.7) completed an online questionnaire, informing us about their sex and love life, victimization events as well as personal and relational factors. Results indicate that romantic attachment (secure and anxious attachment types), sexual assertiveness (refusal of unwanted sex and sexual intimacy initiation) and perceived social support would limit the risk of experiencing SCV while the exposure to family violence, sexual self-esteem and fearful attachment would be associated with an increased risk. Thus, SCV prevention programs should focus on family violence, rely on good practices that promote a secure romantic attachment style, reinforce sexual assertiveness and establish a social network of trust. In addition, it would be important to support adolescent girls in expressing their sexual self-esteem through digital tools while strengthening their ability to set their limits and legitimizing the importance of consent on Internet.

The formulation of the perceptions of the adult role among adolescent Greek girls in Johannesburg, is a complex matter. The girls are influenced by their Greek cultural upbringing, while also experiencing the effects of inherent gender inequalities in the education system. This study investigated the perceptions of the adult role among adolescent Greek schoolgirls in Johannesburg and the implications for educational provision. A literature survey investigated the formation of gender identity among adolescent girls. Existing research on the issues of gender in education was reviewed. A qualitative study of the life-world of eight adolescent Greek schoolgirls was conducted. Data elicited from semi-structured interviews were analysed, discussed and synthesised. The major findings emanated. The girls were influenced in their adult role perceptions by their cultural backgrounds, but all expressed a desire to strive for new levels of independence. Guidelines for relevant educational provision were proposed. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Comparative Education)

The formulation of the perceptions of the adult role among adolescent Greek girls in Johannesburg, is a complex matter. The girls are influenced by their Greek cultural upbringing, while also experiencing the effects of inherent gender inequalities in the education system. This study investigated the perceptions of the adult role among adolescent Greek schoolgirls in Johannesburg and the implications for educational provision. A literature survey investigated the formation of gender identity among adolescent girls. Existing research on the issues of gender in education was reviewed. A qualitative study of the life-world of eight adolescent Greek schoolgirls was conducted. Data elicited from semi-structured interviews were analysed, discussed and synthesised. The major findings emanated. The girls were influenced in their adult role perceptions by their cultural backgrounds, but all expressed a desire to strive for new levels of independence. Guidelines for relevant educational provision were proposed. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Comparative Education)