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This study tested a model of objectification theory proposed by Fredrickson and Roberts (1997) as it applies to disordered eating in a sample of dancers and non-dancers. The methods in this study are based on a previous test of objectification theory done by Tiggeman and Slater (2001). Two samples of participants were given a survey to measure self-objectification and its anticipated consequences. The first sample included 155 women who participated in either ballet, modern, jazz, or hip-hop dance. The second sample included 199 women enrolled in undergraduate classes at the University of Central Florida during the fall semester of 2004. Participants in the two samples did not score differently on the measure of self-objectification. However, dancers scored significantly higher on the self-surveillance, body shame, appearance anxiety, flow, awareness of internal body states, and disordered eating measures than the non-dancers. None of the proposed mediating variables were found to mediate the relationship between self-objectification and disordered eating in either sample.

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No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Eating disorders affect an estimated 1 million Canadians per year and have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses (Statistics Canada, 2016; Arcelus, Mitchell, & Wales, 2011). Research suggests that those who fall under the transgender umbrella are at a higher risk for developing mental health concerns, and more specifically disordered eating practices (Dhejne, Vlerken, Heylens, & Arcelus, 2016). Despite this the existing literature on this population is lacking, with little research going outside of the gender binary. Majority of the existing literature is limited in looking at individual case studies seeking to prove that transgender folks can struggle with disordered eating, rather than bring attention to the experiences of transgender individuals within eating disorder treatment and recovery. The purpose of this study was to expand on the current literature by bringing in the voices of lived experience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals, over the age of 18, who identify their gender as falling under the transgender umbrella who have participated in a form of eating disorder recovery for a minimum of one year. Through a thematic analysis, commonalities were uncovered between the participants stories leading to the identification of five themes: the connection between gender identity and eating disorder development, the impact of LGBTQ+ beauty standards, discrimination within the healthcare system, the use of the internet, and the role of community in recovery. The findings suggest there is a strong connection between transgender identity and the development of eating disorder behaviours that create an experience vastly different than the cisgendered reality in which the treatment programs are based. To address these differences the participants provided guidance towards recommendation for practitioners and treatment including: mandated training on both transgender identities and eating disorders, the development of supportive and inclusive environments, the creation of a transgender specific eating disorder treatment program. Further, topics for future research to deepen the understanding of the experiences shared within the study included: impact of online eating disorder support for trans and non-binary individuals, the variance in experience between binary transgender and non-binary identities within treatment, and the impacts of race and ethnicity on the experiences of transgender individuals. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW)

Introduction: Bariatric surgery (BS) is currently the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. However, many individuals fail to lose or maintain adequate weight loss. It is a challenge to understand why some individuals can make the required changes following BS and some cannot. Evidence suggests that emotional eating (EE) may be associated with poorer outcome. However, there is as yet no conclusive research or review of the research in this area. Method: A systematic review was conducted with the aim to examine how EE relates to BS outcome. This review was complimented by a qualitative research project examining the experiences of individuals following weight loss surgery, with a particular focus on what changes and emotional coping. Results: Systematic review results suggest that EE is associated to poorer weight loss following BS. Six superordinate themes emerged from the qualitative research project; Surgery Outcome, Changing Views of the Self, Coping with Emotions, Being Judged Negatively, Being Obese is a Barrier to Living and It’s a Different Addiction. Discussion The overall results suggest that EE is an ongoing issue following bariatric surgery. BS seems to initiate various changes in behaviour, and cognition, together with increased sense of control. However, such changes seem to be attributed to BS, which is suggestive of an underestimation of self efficacy. Perceptions of obesity being the result of an addiction and emphasis on the difficulties associated with losing weight further highlight the issue of reduced self efficacy. This study also highlights that for many, having surgery does not cure all difficulties associated with eating. There are possibly underlying difficulties associated with obesity, such as neurocircuitry pathways that increase desire for food, whilst reducing control and attachment difficulties that reduce emotion regulation capacity. However, much work is required to understand such explanations and develop appropriate psychological interventions. Conclusion: The overall results from this thesis provide support for the view that EE and associated emotion regulation difficulties are related to poorer BS outcome. What seems clear from this research is that, although BS provides many positive changes, the battle against obesity continues for most and services are currently limited in their resources to intervene.

The purpose of the current study was to further our understanding of the subjective experience of middle-age African American women who are HIV+ and on highly active antiretroviral therapy, particularly how self-reported lipodystrophy (LD), levels of body dissatisfaction, body image quality of life, and engagement in disordered eating behaviors are related. Multiple regression, MANOVA, MANCOVA, ANOVA, and chi-square were utilized to test hypotheses. Results revealed that HIV+ and HIV- women did not differ significantly on their levels of body dissatisfaction or drive for thinness. When HIV+ women were examined in more detail a pattern emerged: women who self-reported fat hypertrophy had significantly higher levels of body dissatisfaction, bingeing, but not purging, and dietary restriction and fear of weight gain compared to women who did not self-report LD. About 75% of the sample was overweight or obese, and when BMI was controlled for, these differences persisted for body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors for fat hypertrophy, but not fat atrophy. Overall, the findings indicate that the type of LD, specifically hypertrophy, is more related to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors, than LD in general. Clinical implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.

Eating disorders and substance use disorders both exhibit a clear sex-difference in prevalence. Eating disorders are more common in females while substance use disorders are more common in males. Previous research has also established a strong association between these two disorders, especially within females. Much less research has examined comorbity in males. The etiology and reasons for these sex-differences and for the comorbidity of eating and substance use disorders remain unclear. The present report aimed to examine disordered eating (DE), substance use (SU), and their comorbidity further, in both sexes, using disorder eating attitudes and behaviors and substance use rather than diagnoses. DE was examined with the Drive for Thinness, Bulimia, and Body Dissatisfaction subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-II. Nicotine, alcohol, and illicit drug use was also assessed. Male and female twin pairs from The Swedish Twin study of CHild and Adolescent Development will be used which includes 1,480 twin pairs assessed at three age points; 13-14, 16-17, and 19-20. A twin design was utilized to examine important aspects of the genetic and environmental risk factors for DE, SU, and their comorbidity within three distinct studies. In Study I multivariate twin designs were used and revealed that an underlying common factor was responsible for the three facets of DE in both sexes at age 16-17. Sex-differences were exhibited within these genetic influences such that only 50% of the genetic risk for the DE factor is shared between the sexes. Total heritabilities for the three subscales were higher for females. In Study II a longitudinal, multivariate twin design was used and revealed that an underlying common factor was responsible for SU at all three assessment ages. In general, genetic effects became more substance specific, and common shared environmental effects decreased across the age groups. In Study III, the genetic and environmental covariance between the DE and SU common factors at age 16-17 was examined. The covariance between DE and SU was partly mediated through familial factors, and these factors impacted covariance similarly in the sexes. Genetic and shared environmental factors each accounted for approximately 50% of covariance.