BACKGROUND There is an extraordinary common medical condition that affects millions of people, mostly women. It is associated with high levels of disability, discomfort and loss of productivity. People seldom talk about it and suffer in silence and have a fear of being ridiculed or embarrassed. It is not breast cancer, nor osteoporosis, nor heart disease nor is it depression. It is urinary incontinence – the loss of bladder control, which affects the lives of millions of people globally. General Practitioners (GP‟s) do not have a good knowledge about the topic and are therefore not managing Urinary Incontinence (UI) appropriately. AIM To assess the knowledge, attitudes and reported practices of general practitioners related to adult female patients with urinary incontinence in Greater Johannesburg. OBJECTIVES To determine the demographics of the respondents belonging to the various Independent Practitioner Associations (IPA's). Variables include age, sex, year qualified, postgraduate qualifications, and the number of years in clinical practice. To determine the demographics of the respondents practice. Variables include, age distribution, gender distribution, and the number of patients seen with urinary incontinence per month. To determine the knowledge of the respondents regarding urinary incontinence in adult females. Variables include prevalence, aetiology, types of urinary incontinence, associated risk factors and reversible factors. v To determine the attitudes of the respondents regarding urinary incontinence in adult females. Variables include feelings of empathy, frustration, etc. To determine the management of the respondents regarding urinary incontinence in adult females. Variables include access of referral facilities, screening, examination, investigation, and medication. METHODS The study was done amongst the Independent Practitioner Associations in the greater Johannesburg area. A questionnaire was administered to GP‟s attending IPA meetings, data was collected with regards to the demographics of the GPs and their practices as well as the knowledge, attitudes and reported practices of the GPs. RESULTS The response rate cannot be calculated as the number of GPs who attended the IPA meetings is not known. One hundred and thirteen respondents met the inclusion criteria for the study. The data was collected over a 10-month period during 2006. Males accounted for 76 (68.5%) and females for 35 (31.5%) of all respondents. Two (1.8%) respondents had three postgraduate qualifications, 11 (9.7%) respondents had two postgraduate qualifications and 38 (33.6%) respondents had one postgraduate qualification. The prevalence of patients with UI was higher amongst female respondents, 33 (97.1%) as compared to male respondents 67 (88.2%). Feelings of empathy was experienced by 94 (88.7%) respondents and 81 (81%) respondents would never avoided the discussion about UI with patients. Most respondents rated their knowledge on aetiology 82 (78.1%), diagnosis 79 (73.8%), investigation 58 (54.2%) and management 58 (54.7%) as good and very good.

Sexual objectification has become a pervasive problem, negatively affecting the mental and physical health of many women. Understanding the influence of visual media, social-support networks and social interactions on young women's health is essential to addressing issues related to objectification. We do not have an in-depth understanding of how Black and White young adult women make meaning of objectification. Further, the existing literature suggests that experiences of objectification are likely different for Black and White women. The current research employed two studies, one qualitative and one quantitative, to address these particular gaps. Study 1 used focus groups to assess young Black and White women’s attitudes and experiences related to objectification. Four focus groups were conducted with university students, two with White women (N=11) and two with Black women (N=17). Results indicated that sexual objectification is a complex and unfortunate reality in the women’s daily lives; driven by the media, men and even other women. Participants’ immediate responses to objectifying experiences are multi-faceted and the potential consequences of long-term exposure can be detrimental to a woman’s well-being. Racial differences arose in relation to standards of beauty as well as examples of and reactions to objectifying experiences. Study 2 study assessed two different models of sexual objectification for White and Black women. Female, undergraduate and graduate students completed an online questionnaire about sources of objectification; 155 White women and 173 Black women were included in the analyses. The results suggest there are significant relationships between certain sociocultural sources of objectification, body image preoccupation and the associated consequences of depression, eating disturbances. Skin color dissatisfaction was an additional negative outcome for Black participants. The models for Black and White participants were not equivalent. Understanding how women experience sexual objectification and racial differences has implications for how objectification and related outcomes are measured. This information also has implications for developing appropriately tailored programming related to the objectification and psychological well-being of women. The information from these studies can hopefully be used to inform individuals of the risks associated with sexual objectification, as well as develop educational programs on college campuses.

This study bridges the gap in literature about the impact of father absence on female adult attachment and current stress levels. A sample of 666 female college students between the ages of 18 and 22 at the University of Kentucky was recruited to complete an online survey about their experience with their fathers and the effects on their attachment and stress levels, while assessing the age of their first sexual experience. Father absence seems to be a significant predictor of earlier sexual activity among females and anxious attachment styles, along with higher stress levels. When the father is absent from the home, females have sex earlier than when the father is present in the home. Females who experience father absence have higher anxious attachment levels and higher current stress levels. These findings inform therapists about the importance of recognizing attachment injuries when dealing with individuals and supports the need for mother and father involvement in a female’s life.

The late second and early third decades of life are critical periods for bone health due to the attainment of peak bone mass during this time, yet little is known about relationships between lifestyle factors and bone health among young-adult females. Therefore, anthropometric, body composition, and nutritional variables were examined in relation to bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone turnover in a group of 60 healthy, young-adult females aged 18 to 25 years. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat-free soft tissue mass (FFST), and fat mass had statistically significant and positive associations with BMD. Mean daily dietary protein, magnesium, and iron intakes had statistically significant and negative associations with BMD. A second study compared dietary intake, BMD, and biochemical markers of bone turnover in young-adult females with chronic dieting habits to nondieters. Anthropometric and body composition variables between chronic dieters and nondieters were not statistically different; however, chronic dieters had statistically significantly lower average daily dietary intakes of energy, macronutrients, and selected micronutrients compared to nondieters. Chronic dieters had statistically significantly higher whole body (WB) BMD compared to nondieters. Moderate effects were observed for WB, lumbar spine, trochanter, and total proximal femur BMD such that chronic dieters possessed greater BMD compared to nondieters. It appears that among young-adult females, total body weight, particularly FFST mass, has an important association with BMD. Although nutritional inadequacies among young-adult females raise concerns, overconsumption of nutrients may increase the likelihood of nutrient-nutrient interactions that may have a less than optimal impact on BMD. Future investigations of dietary intake and BMD among young-adult females are warranted. / Master of Science

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The purpose of this project is to gather an understanding of binge eating disorder and effective treatment approaches used for the reduction of binge eating symptoms for adult females. The research focus of this study will be, what are the attitudes and perspectives of binge eating disorder treatments for adult females among students who are in a masters of social work field or study. This research project utilized a post-positivist paradigm where data was gathered qualitatively through the implementation of interviews with MSW students of diverse ethnic backgrounds (e.g. Hispanics, whites, and blacks, professional and personal experiences) from California State University of San Bernardino. The researcher utilized literature review to prepare for the study execution, and participants were provided with an inform consent and debriefing statement. The researcher prepared questions, and audio recorded, transcribe, and then analyzed the interviews. Master’s students’ first-hand knowledge and perspectives contributed to a better understanding of what needs to be known in order to effectively treat binge eating disorder. The results consisted of the following themes: knowledge; basic knowledge of eating disorders, limited knowledge or awareness about binge eating disorder among adult females, no knowledge in regards to effective treatments for adult females with binge eating disorder, need for knowledge or awareness, perceptions; negative perceptions of binge eating disorder and treatments for adult females, experiences; personal and school experiences, and treatments; cognitive behavior therapy for treatment.

本研究的主要目的是希望透過女性從原生家庭進入婚姻家庭的歷程，瞭解當前台灣社會中成年期女性的心理依附與分離概況，由於東西方社會家庭結構的差異，在中西方思潮融合交接的此刻，希望能透過研究瞭解文化因素對依附與心理分離的影響性，以及此一歷程中心理依附與分離的關係。 　　研究者以文獻分析所得的理論架構為參考點，採用質性研究方法進行非結構式的深度訪談。受訪對像是十五位成年期女性，年齡在二十五歲到三十四歲之間，為顧及受訪者的口語表達能力，因此選擇專科以上學歷的訪談對象；也因為此研究是一個歷程性的探討，因此訪談了不同婚姻階段的受訪者，婚齡最長不超過六年。 　　綜合研究所得，發現女性在婚姻歷程中心理依附與分離的現象是一個辯證循環的過程，關係會在不斷的變動發展。而就理論的層面來探討，可以發現女性的依附關係雖有西方文獻中所指涉的的內涵和類型，卻也存在著本土的特殊性，可以看到『依附反轉』的現象；另外，若要以西方理論的角度來探討『心理分離』，將會出現窘迫不足之憾；本文提出女性在婚姻歷程的四個困境，透過探討文化對親子關係、夫妻關係、和自我造成的影響，來瞭解當前女性依附與心理分離的概況。 　　另外，也提出一些影響歷程發展的因素，也發現女性在此一歷程中，依附與心理分離的現象具有持續發展和系統性的特色。 / The purpose of this study is to investigate adult females' attachment (or emotional connection) and psychological-separation (or separation-individual; differentiation), via the process of transition from their original families to married families, in current Taiwan society. The researcher hopes to learn more about the females' attachment and psychological-separation in this process of relationships between. Besides, the influence of culture on this process would be discussed. The thesis has the theoretical basis established by reviewing western literature. Moreover, samples including 15 adult females are chosen and qualitatively studied, according to the theory, by a non-constructional interviewing-in-depth method. The samples, ranging from 25- to 34-year-old, are all graduated from college or above. In order to have a longitudinal examination of the transition process, the samples are chosen to distribute in different married stages. None of the samples has married for longer than 6 years. 　　Results show that the attachment of females has some characteristics consistent with those in western literature, while some features reveal the influence of cultural traits. One of the special features absent in western literature is 'reverse-attachment' in the relationship between females and their original families. Thus, the related research results in western literature seem insufficient to explain adult females' psychological-separation in Taiwan. The thesis therefore provides four dilemma in relationship transition. 　　The thesis suggests that the females' attachment and psychological-separation have several developmental characteristics: consistency, mendability, dialectic process, and systematism. In addition, the finding in this study is consistent with family-system theory. That is, the transition process changes continuously and is influenced by the culture and the environment.

There has been a vast amount of research regarding domestic violence. However, the literature is centered on a linear, cause and effect approach. This study aimed to explore domestic violence from the experiences of young female adults, and will be approached from a postmodern perspective. The participants were selected based on purposive sampling and willingness to participate. The sample consists of two participants and the data was obtained through their written stories and semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Themes were then extracted from the data and were explored through hermeneutic analysis which is consistent with the postmodern approach. A qualitative methodological design was used in order to allow meaning to emerge. The results were then presented in an interpretive and descriptive manner. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

There has been a vast amount of research regarding domestic violence. However, the literature is centered on a linear, cause and effect approach. This study aimed to explore domestic violence from the experiences of young female adults, and will be approached from a postmodern perspective. The participants were selected based on purposive sampling and willingness to participate. The sample consists of two participants and the data was obtained through their written stories and semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Themes were then extracted from the data and were explored through hermeneutic analysis which is consistent with the postmodern approach. A qualitative methodological design was used in order to allow meaning to emerge. The results were then presented in an interpretive and descriptive manner. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)