Thesis (Ph. D. in Psychology)--Vanderbilt University, 2004. / Title from PDF title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--York University, 1999. Graduate Programme in Education. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [156]-162). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pMQ43365.

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--York University, 2000. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-83). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ59140.

published_or_final_version / Psychology / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Psychology / Master / Master of Philosophy

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis in women. Treatments of breast cancer are constantly developing which leads to a high rate of surviving women. Being affected of breast cancer can result in many intense feelings and a changed body. Most of the women who get affected by breast cancer are treated with surgical treatment. One operation that is used is mastectomy, an surgical operation where one or both breasts are being removed. This may lead to several feelings, changed body image and the women have to adapt to their new body. Aim: The aim of the overview was to explore women's experiences, thoughts and emotions after a mastectomy, due to breast cancer. Method: A literature overview study based on seven qualitative and three quantitative studies. Results: In the result four themes emerged, The body betrays and is no longer complete, You are not the same person anymore, Femininity and sexuality are lost and The social limitations. Conclusion: One of the main findings shown in the result was how the mastectomy changed the women's body image. It seemed to be difficult to accept the changed body, which became a constant reminder of the disease. The women no longer recognized themselves and therefore had a hard time when it came to show themselves in front of people in the surroundings. The women also felt limitations in social situations and the body became an obstacle; they did not feel comfortable, isolated themselves and avoided everyday activities. This is important to acknowledge as a nurse and be able to give adequate support in both short term and long term.

Problematic levels of eating disorder (ED) spectrum problems are becoming increasingly pervasive on college campuses, especially among female college students. Research suggests that ED cognitions and a lack of body image acceptance are linked to diminished psychological flexibility (PF), which is linked to ED and other negative health symptoms. Two hundred thirty-six undergraduates completed an online survey, and mediation analyses were conducted. PF fully mediated the relation between ED cognitions and non-specific psychiatric symptoms and partially mediated the link between ED cognitions and ED symptoms. PF also partially mediated the link between body image acceptance and non-specific psychiatric symptoms, but not the relation between body image acceptance and ED symptoms. Findings suggest that clinical symptoms and one’s coping style are both important factors to take into consideration in case conceptualization and treatment, and suggest that therapies such as ACT that target PF may be beneficial in treating ED spectrum problems.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the complexities of body satisfaction and maladaptive relationships with food as it related to ethnic identity for college-aged African American women. I explored how maladaptive relationships with food may be moderated by ethnic identity (Rogers-Wood & Petrie, 2010), and associated with concerns for body image ideals (Capodilupo & Kim, 2013; Cheney, 2011;) or concerns related to health (Di Noia et al., 2009; Rich & Thomas, 2008). The sample consisted of 189 undergraduate and graduate African American women at a southeastern university in the United States, with a mean age of 22.87. Analyses of correlations suggested that maladaptive eating was associated with low body satisfaction and high concerns for appearance. Findings also suggested that higher levels of ethnic identity were associated with lower levels of body satisfaction. Body satisfaction was inversely related to body mass index. There was no significant relationship between ethnic identity and maladaptive eating. Higher levels of ethnic identity were associated with lower levels of health consciousness. Body image satisfaction and concerns for appearance were positively correlated with health consciousness. Multiple regression analyses indicated significant moderating effects of ethnic identity only for the relationship between maladaptive eating and health consciousness. Ethnic identity moderated the relationship between maladaptive eating and health consciousness particularly for women with low levels of ethnic identity, while accounting for body mass index and body image concerns. Clinical implications for addressing body image concerns, maladaptive eating, and concerns about health with African American women are discussed.