Research has indicated that college-age women are not consuming the recommended daily servings of dairy foods, and therefore, have inadequate calcium intakes as well. Four focus groups were conducted with a total of 29 college women to explore their perceptions, opinions, thoughts, and feelings about dairy foods. Single, non-Hispanic white females, aged 19-22, enrolled in state-funded colleges and universities in Virginia were recruited for the study. Discussion questions addressed preferences for dairy foods, advantages and disadvantages of dairy foods, factors that influence dairy consumption, and ideas for product improvements. Focus group discussions were audio taped, transcribed by the researcher, then checked for accuracy by a Virginia Tech undergraduate student. Major themes and subthemes were identified, and results were reported in the following theme categories: 1) health and nutrition perceptions of dairy foods, 2) external influences on dairy food consumption, 3) characteristics of dairy products, and 4) ideas for product improvements. Women in this study perceived the high calcium content of dairy foods to be a health benefit. Women thought calcium was important for the prevention of osteoporosis; however, most women did not seem to perceive osteoporosis as an immediate health concern. A predominant theme throughout all focus groups was that college women thought many dairy foods were high in fat. Use of calcium supplements as well as other vitamin/mineral supplements to meet nutrient requirements was common among this sample of college women. Other factors that influenced women's dairy food choices included family influences (especially mothers), college lifestyle, and media sources. Specifically, mothers encouraged women to drink milk during childhood and to use supplements. Women's busy lifestyles at college influenced them to choose convenient dairy foods. Women's concern with body weight and image played a role in their lower fat dairy food choices. Sensory characteristics of dairy foods, particularly taste, were important to the college women's dairy food choices. Women wanted convenient and "easily accessible" dairy foods, and their ideas for product improvements included smaller package sizes, easier opening of packages, and improved availability of low fat dairy options in restaurants and dining halls. Nutrition educators should strive to emphasize the importance of adequate dairy food consumption to college women now to prevent osteoporosis in the future. Continued promotion of low fat dairy choices is important to help ensure that women receive adequate intake of calcium and other important nutrients. / Master of Science

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become one of the world's most serious health and development challenges. It is important for African American female students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), to engage in routine HIV testing and know their HIV status based on the high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS among African American women and the risk of engaging in risky sexual behavior in a college. This qualitative study was developed to help gain a better understanding of how African American female students who attend HBCUs make the decision to engage in HIV testing and their attitudes toward HIV testing. Face-to-face individual interviews were conducted to collect data from African American female students who attend a HBCU. By using the theory of reasoned action and planned behavior (TRA/TPB), behaviors, intentions, attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were explored by addressing questions and topics related to attitudes and decision making toward HIV testing. The women interviewed in this study had accepting and positive attitudes toward HIV testing. Perceived risk level was the leading a factor in making the decision to be tested for HIV among participating women. Understanding how these factors affect communities will help public health professionals, educators, community leaders, university personnel, policy makers, community organizations, and researchers develop the most effective strategies for the development and delivery of HIV testing messages that target African American female students who attend HBCUs.

Prior research has shown that college women in the United States are experiencing significantly high rates of verbal intimate partner violence (IPV); estimates indicate that approximately 20-30% of college women experience verbal IPV victimization (e.g., Hines, 2007; Muñoz-Rivas, Graña, O'Leary, & González, 2009). Verbal IPV is associated with physical consequences, such as chronic pain and migraine headaches, and psychological implications, including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and substance use (Coker et al., 2002). However, few studies have examined verbal IPV in college populations, and none have focused on Hispanic college women who are members of the largest minority population on college campuses today (Pew Research Center, 2013), and experience higher rates of IPV victimization (Ingram, 2007). The current dissertation sought to address these gaps by examining the influence of familial conflict strategies on Hispanic college women’s verbal IPV victimization. Further, within group differences were explored, with specific attention paid to the role of acculturation and gender role beliefs. A total of 906 from two Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) in the southeastern (N=502) and southwestern (N=404) United States participated in the three part study. Study one examined the influence of parental conflict strategies on Hispanic women’s verbal IPV victimization in current romantic relationships. Consistent with previous research, results indicated that parental use of verbal violence influenced verbal IPV victimization in the current romantic relationship. A unidirectional effect of paternal use of verbal aggression towards the participant on maternal verbal aggression towards the participant was also found. Study two examined the influence of parental conflict strategies, acculturation, and gender role beliefs on victimization. Acculturation and gender role beliefs were found to not have an influence on participants’ verbal IPV victimization. Study three examined within-group differences using Study two’s model. Differences were found between the southeastern and southwestern participants; gender role beliefs increased rates of verbal IPV victimization in the southeastern population. The current dissertation fills a gap in the literature on IPV experiences in Hispanic college populations, the importance of examining verbal IPV trends, and highlights importance differing cultural influences within populations traditionally viewed as homogenous. The implications for future research are discussed.

The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the differential effects of goal setting and value reappraisal on female students’ self-efficacy beliefs, value perceptions, exam performance and continued interest in statistics. It was hypothesized that the Enhanced Goal Setting Intervention (GS-E) would positively impact students’ self-efficacy beliefs and exam performance, whereas the Enhanced Value-Reappraisal (VR-E) was expected to positively affect students’ value perceptions and continued interest in learning statistics. A total of 88 female undergraduate students enrolled in two sections of an introductory statistics course completed the entire study. Students were primarily Caucasian, upper division, and traditionally aged. Students were stratified on course section and year in school and randomly assigned to one of three groups: Control Group (n=30); GS-E Group (n=27); and VR-E (n=31). GS-E asked students to both set and self-evaluate eight goals focused on reaching learning objectives for their upcoming statistics exam. VR-E presented students with messages about why learning statistics could be important for them and guided them in processing these messages. The Control Condition asked students to complete three Texas Information Literacy Tutorial modules and answer reflective questions. Findings from this dissertation partially supported the hypotheses related to VR-E, but no support was found for the hypotheses related to GS-E. The VR-E Intervention was found to positively impact measures of students’ value perceptions and continued interest. Immediate effects of VR-E were observed on: 1) the overall value students placed on learning statistics; 2) students’ interest and enjoyment of statistics; 3) the importance students placed on developing statistical knowledge and skills for the attainment of their future goals; and 4) students’ intentions to continue learning statistics on their own. However, relatively stronger and longer-lasting effects were observed on the later two variables. Also, students in the VR-E Group outperformed students in the GS-E Group on their post-intervention exam; however, neither group was significantly different from the Control Group. Findings from this research help to address the growing economic and social needs for the development and evaluation of theory-based educational interventions that target the improvement of college students’ achievement and continued interest in math and science education. / text

The purposes of the study were (1) to validate five selected supportive and five selected non-supportive nonverbal movements, and (2) to determine the effects of the nonverbal expressions upon subjects' learning of a gross motor skill. Subjects were twenty-eight college women who met the established criteria. The testing instrument was the Bachman Ladder. Fourteen subjects received the supportive-- non-supportive nonverbal treatment sequence; fourteen subjects received the reverse treatment sequence. Subjects numerically ranked the degree of treatment following each experimental session. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance method. Alpha was .05. Conclusions of this study were (1) that nonverbal supportive and non-supportive treatments do not significantly affect gross motor learning, and (2) the selected expressions are valid techniques for nonverbal communications.

A qualitative phenomenological design was used to explore the lived experiences of college women who reported sexual assault to law enforcement officials. Utilizing a feminist conceptual framework, the purpose of the present study was to identify the essence of the reporting experience for college women who experienced a sexual assault. Six college women agreed to participate in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with open-ended questions to better understand the experience of the phenomenon under investigation. The Modification of the Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen Method of Analysis of Phenomenological Data (Moustakas, 1994) was utilized for analysis of the data collected in order to identify meaning units and themes. Four common themes emerged from the narratives of the six participants: Making the Decision to Report, Internal Experience of the Reporting Process, Following the Report, and Making the Report. The identified themes contributed to the participant descriptions, which highlighted the essence of the participants’ lived experiences of reporting sexual assault to law enforcement. The identified themes provided insight into how counselors can better serve college women who have reported or are considering reporting sexual assault to law enforcement officials. Implications for counselor educators, college counselors, and campus police and off-campus police officers were also addressed.

Thesis advisor: Katherine Hutchinson / Lower urinary tract (LUTS) storage symptoms, including overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence (UI), are common conditions among women with significant health and economic consequences. Much of the existing literature on LUTS focuses on older, often postmenopausal women, and there is limited research available about prevalence, incidence and severity of LUTS in young women. For many young women in the United States, the period from the late teens through early twenties coincides with the period of emerging adulthood and college enrollment. The unique factors influencing women at this stage of development may be influential in understanding prevalence and correlates of OAB and UI later in the life-course. The purpose of this cross-sectional descriptive survey-based study was to explore and describe the experience of urinary storage symptoms, specifically OAB and UI, among female undergraduate college students, and to identify associated factors. Qualtrics online platform was used to create and distribute the survey to a sample of 1,800 female college undergraduate students at a private Catholic university in the northeast. Two instruments previously used to assess LUTS, the ICIQ-FLUTS and LUTS Tool, were combined into the Urinary Symptoms Scale with a one-week recall. Twelve items assessed LUTS storage symptoms of OAB and UI. The final sample consisted of 456 female undergraduate college students with a mean age of 20.3-years-old. The sample was predominantly White non-Hispanic. Most commonly reported symptoms included urgency (47.6%), frequency (52.6%), urinary incontinence (21.3%), stress urinary incontinence (28.8%), and urge urinary incontinence (16.4%). Total severity scores were low and highly skewed towards the lower range (M = 3.31; SD = 3.91). Participants with symptoms, most commonly reported experiencing symptoms rarely or sometimes during the past week. Perceived bother from urinary symptoms mean scores were low (M = 1.77) but extended the full range on a 0 to 10 scale. In this study, perceived bother from urinary symptoms as well as perceived impact of urinary symptoms on activities of daily life (ADLs) were significantly associated with care-seeking and use of self-management strategies. Interestingly, LUTS storage symptom severity was not significantly associated with care-seeking, but it was related to use of self-management strategies in this population. Perception of overall health, history of constipation/IBS, sexual activity, delayed toileting behaviors, and premature toileting behaviors were significant in multivariate analyses when controlling for other factors. Further research on the relationship of these factors and LUTS storage symptoms is needed. This study represented a first step in understanding college women’s experiences with LUTS storage symptoms and identifying the unique personal, behavioral and environmental factors associated with LUTS. The study found that OAB and UI symptoms are common among female college undergraduates. In addition, a number of personal and behavioral factors were found to be associated with LUTS storage symptoms. Given that many health-related behaviors established during college years may persist later in adulthood, identifying experiences and influences of young women’s LUTS storage symptoms is important in informing future research and practice recommendations. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2018. / Submitted to: Boston College. Connell School of Nursing. / Discipline: Nursing.

Pregnancy intention is extensively examined in the literature and the concept of "unintended" pregnancy is considered a significant health problem. Large efforts have been made to reduce negative health consequences presumably associated with pregnancies that are unexpected, unwanted, or mistimed but have had limited impact. A study was conducted to examine contextual issues surrounding women's experiences with pregnancy intention its intersection with knowledge, perceptions, and use of emergency contraception in a population of female university students. The project was a mixed method study including a survey examining demographic characteristics, sexual history, and knowledge and use characteristics in addition to interviews exploring prospective perceptions of pregnancy intention. An integrative review informed the background of the study demonstrating the need for expansion of current concepts of pregnancy intention that inform measurement and subsequent interventions. Quantitative survey results provide new information including higher rates of use in comparison to previous studies but persistence of misinformation. Qualitative interview findings illustrate a process by which individual agency in terms of sexual and pregnancy decision making is influenced by a precursor of the embodiment of convictions and empowerment. Combined conclusions confirm the need of exploring the role of the social context on pregnancy intention, suggest ways in which nurses can empower women to be their own agents of health, and start discussions of how intervention approaches to pregnancy intention can be improved.

The mass media project a thin “ideal” female body type (ideal-body media; IBM) onto young women. Sociocultural theorists propose that, through processes of internalisation and social comparison, IBM-exposure promotes negative body satisfaction and unhealthy eating behaviour. In three experiments, I investigated how IBM-exposure affected restrained eaters. Restrained eaters are women who are trying to lose weight by attempting to restrict their food intake. Previous researchers have found that restrained eaters perceive and process body-related information more readily than others do. The literature surrounding restrained eaters’ IBM-related self-evaluations and food intake is inconsistent. Some researchers have found restrained eaters to report positive self-evaluative effects and others have not. Furthermore, the majority of researchers report that viewing IBM triggers restrained eaters’ eating. However, this effect is not always replicated and this might be because restrained eaters have been identified with different restraint scales. To test this idea, I used two conceptually different dietary restraint scales throughout the current experiments: the concern for dieting subscale of the Restraint Scale (RS-CD) and the Dietary Intent Scale (DIS). Furthermore, because some researchers have argued that participants within previous (non-restraint) studies reported negative IBM-effects because they thought that they were meant to be negatively affected (i.e., demand characteristics), reducing these demands was a focus throughout the current experiments. In Study 1, demand characteristics were minimised by employing implicit outcome measures and by incorporating a two-study pre-text to separate the experimental manipulation from the explicitly measured dependent variables. Under the guise of a hunger and memory study, restrained and unrestrained eaters (N = 107) were required to concentrate on a slideshow of IBM- or Control-images for 2-minutes and complete an associated memory test (i.e., advertent attention). Restrained eaters (RS-CD and DIS) exposed to IBM reported negative effects (e.g., mood). However, IBM-exposure did not trigger their food intake in an unrelated taste test with M&Ms. I interpreted these findings alongside control theory. This is the theory that goal-related negative affect encourages increased goal-performance. I reasoned that paying advertent attention to the IBM caused goal-related negative affect, which triggered goal effort (i.e., dietary restraint). This theory was further tested in Study 2. The same manipulation was used in Study 2 (N = 268), which was touted as a study about participants’ personality and task performance. Here, I aimed to test restrained eaters’ implicit approach and avoidance tendencies toward diet and food stimuli. Therefore, a joystick lexical decision task (LDT) was used instead of a taste test. Restrained eaters’ self-evaluations (e.g., self-esteem) were not significantly affected by being in different experimental conditions. However, restrained eaters (RS-CD) in the IBM-condition avoided high-calorie food words during the LDT significantly faster than other participants did. These results (Studies 1 and 2) differed from previous research. This difference was attributed to the high level of advertent attention participants paid to the IBM in my experiments. Therefore, in Study 3, I manipulated participants’ attention levels. Participants (N = 171) were made to believe that the experimental slideshow and LDT were part of a task performance study. Although participants who were assigned to the Inadvertent- and Advertent-Attention conditions were exposed to the same slideshow (IBM- or Neutral-images), the experimenter did not ask participants in the Inadvertent-condition to focus on the slideshow. After this experimental manipulation, participants completed the joystick LDT. Subsequently, they completed a second unrelated study about personality and the five human senses (e.g., taste, touch, etcetera). All participants were randomly assigned to the taste-condition and completed a taste test. Inconsistent with my previous results, I did not obtain significant self-evaluation or LDT results. Furthermore, restrained eaters (RS-CD) who paid advertent attention to the IBM consumed more food than others consumed during the taste test. In comparison, restrained eaters were buffered from this effect if they had paid inadvertent attention to the IBM-images. When comparing these (nonsignificant and significant) results with previous research, it seems that restrained eaters’ IBM-responses are highly specific to environmental and/or experimental settings. I developed a preliminary theory to predict restrained eaters’ behaviour. This theory takes into account participants’ restraint status, restraint success, IBM-related attention and their eating-related attention.

Thesis (M.A.)--Miami University, Dept. of Psychology, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 98-100).