La forte prévalence des troubles des conduites alimentaires (TCA) chez les jeunes femmes et les faibles taux de rémission suite à un traitement ont encouragé les chercheurs à mieux comprendre les facteurs impliqués dans ce trouble mental. L’un des premiers modèles à mettre l’emphase sur des traits de personnalité associés au développement d’un TCA a été proposé par Hilde Bruch (1962, 1973, 1978) et a toujours une grande influence dans la recherche actuelle. Le modèle de Bruch inclue trois facteurs, soit l’insatisfaction corporelle, l’inefficacité et la conscience intéroceptive. Le but de cette thèse est d’apporter un support empirique au modèle de Bruch. En se basant sur une revue extensive des écrits scientifiques, cette thèse vise aussi à déterminer si deux facteurs reliés, soit l’alexithymie et le sentiment d’efficacité personnelle face à l’adoption de conduites alimentaires saines, améliorent la précision du modèle dans la prédiction de symptômes de TCA. Pour répondre empiriquement à cette question, il était d’abord nécessaire de disposer d’un questionnaire évaluant le sentiment d’efficacité personnelle en lien avec les conduites alimentaires qui peut être utilisé dans tout le spectre de présentation des TCA. Ainsi, le Eating Disorder Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (EDRSQ) a été adapté en français et ses propriétés psychométriques ont été évaluées. Une analyse factorielle confirmatoire a révélé une structure bi-factorielle, soit le sentiment d’efficacité personnelle en lien avec l’insatisfaction corporelle et avec l’adoption d’une alimentation normative. Chaque échelle a démontré une bonne fiabilité ainsi qu’une validité de construit cohérente avec la théorie. Par la suite, la capacité des facteurs proposés par Bruch à prédire les symptômes de TCA a été évaluée et comparée à des adaptations du modèle découlant des écrits. Au total, 203 étudiantes de premier cycle universitaire ont complété les versions validées en français du Eating Disorder Inventory 2, du Eating Attitudes Test, et du Toronto Alexithymia Scale en plus du EDRSQ. Les résultats montrent que le modèle de Bruch explique 46% de la variance des symptômes de TCA. Alors que l’insatisfaction corporelle et la conscience intéroceptive démontrent chacun une contribution importante dans la prédiction des symptômes de TCA, il a été démontré que l’inefficacité présente seulement une contribution spécifique négligeable. Le modèle de Bruch est amélioré par la substitution de l’inefficacité par le sentiment d’efficacité personnelle tel que mesuré par le EDRSQ; le modèle explique alors 64% de la variance des symptômes de TCA. Finalement, cette étude démontre que l’alexithymie n’a pas de contribution spécifique dans la prédiction des symptômes de TCA. Ainsi, la combinaison d’une faible conscience intéroceptive, de l’insatisfaction corporelle et d’un faible sentiment d’efficacité personnelle en lien avec les conduites alimentaires est fortement associée aux symptômes de TCA dans un échantillon non-clinique de jeunes femmes. Finalement, les implications conceptuelles et cliniques de ces résultats sont discutées. / High prevalence of Eating Disorders (EDs) amongst young women and poor treatment outcome rates have urged researchers to better understand premorbid factors involved in the pathology. One of the first models to emphasize premorbid personality factors in order to explain eating disorders was proposed by Hilde Bruch (1962, 1973, 1978) and is still very influential in today’s literature. Bruch’s model included three factors, namely body dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness and interoceptive awareness. The purpose of this thesis was to provide an empirical validation of Bruch’s theoretical model. Based on the literature, this thesis also aimed to determine if two related concepts, namely alexithymia and eating self-efficacy, improved the accuracy of the model in predicting ED symptoms. To empirically answer this question, it was first deemed necessary to have an eating self-efficacy questionnaire that could be used within all the spectrum of ED pathology. Therefore, the Eating Disorder Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (EDRSQ) was adapted to French and its’ psychometric properties were assessed. A confirmatory factor analysis revealed a bi-factorial structure, which were Body Image Self-Efficacy and Normative Eating Self-Efficacy. Both scales demonstrated evidence of reliability and theoretically consistent evidence of construct validity. Afterwards, Bruch’s factors ability to predict ED symptoms was assessed and then compared to empirically driven adaptations of the model. A total of 203 undergraduate females completed the Eating Disorder Inventory 2, Eating Attitudes Test, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale, as well as the EDRSQ. The results indicated that Bruch’s model accounted for 46% of the variance in eating symptomatology. While body dissatisfaction and interoceptive awareness both demonstrated an important contribution in predicting ED symptomatology, ineffectiveness was found to have a negligible specific contribution. Bruch’s model was improved by substituting ineffectiveness with eating self-efficacy as measured by the EDRSQ; it then accounted for 64% of the variance in eating disorder symptoms. Finally, this study demonstrated that alexithymia was not a specific predictor of eating disorder symptoms. Thus, a combination of lack of interoceptive awareness, body dissatisfaction and low eating self-efficacy is strongly associated with symptoms of eating disorders in a non-clinical sample of women. Finally, the conceptual and clinical implications of these findings were discussed.

Tyrimo objektas – sąsajos tarp paauglių merginų siekimo atitikti socialinius – kultūrinius išvaizdos lūkesčius, požiūrio į savo kūną ir sveikatai žalingo kūno masės kontrolės elgesio. Problemos pagrindimas: Tiek pasaulyje, tiek Lietuvoje paauglių merginų fizinis aktyvumas turi tendenciją mažėti. Visuomenėje vis labiau formuojasi kūno grožio kultas, kuris labai veikia merginų savo išvaizdos vertinimą. Siekiant atitikti idealus jos imasi dažnai sveikatai žalingų svorio kontrolės būdų. Kūno vertinimas, fizinio aktyvumas bei svorio kontrolė tarp paauglių yra tyrinėtini, nes tokio pobūdžio tyrimai padėtų spręsti gyvensenos problemas, fizinį pasyvumą ir sveikatai žalingą svorio kontrolės elgesį. Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti sąsajas tarp paauglių merginų siekimo atitikti socialinius – kultūrinius išvaizdos lūkesčius ir požiūrio į savo kūną raiškos ypatumų. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti požiūrį į savo kūno raišką merginų KMI bei fizinio aktyvumo grupėse. 2. Palyginti siekimo atitikti socialinius - kultūrinius išvaizdos lūkesčius skirtingo savo išvaizdos vertinimo, KMI, fizinio aktyvumo ir sportinio statuso grupėse. 3. Atskleisti požiūrį į savo kūno sąsajas su socialiniais, savęs vertinimo bei sveikatai žalingo kūno masės reguliavimo veiksniais. 4. Palyginti sveikatai žalingo svorio kontrolės elgesio ir valgymo sutrikimų rizikos pasireiškimus skirtingo KMI ir fizinio aktyvumo paauglių merginų grupėse. Tyrimo metodai ir tiriamieji – anketinei apklausai naudotas klausimynas... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The research object – connection between striving to match social and cultural expectations of appearance, attitude towards their own bodies and harmful weight control behavior. Substantiation of a problem: in Lithuania and in all other countries physical activity among adolescent girls tends to be significantly lower. In a society develops the cult of the beautiful body, which has influence on the estimating of their appearance. Trying to be the same like their ideals, they start to use harmful wight control methods. The estimation of body, physical activity and weight control between teens is worth to research, because that kind of inquiry can help to solve today's lifestyle problems, physical passivity and harmful weight control. The aim of my work – to find the connection between teen girls striving to match social and cultural expectation of appearacne and attitude towords their own peculiarities of the body. The tasks of the research: 1. to find expression of attitud to their own body in girls BMI and physical activity groups. 2. to compare striving to match social and cultural expectations of appearance in various estiments of the appearance, BMI, physical activity and sport status groups. 3. to detect the attitudes of their self body with social, self-esteem and harmful weight factors. 4. to compare harmful weight control behavior and the risik of eating disorders in different BMI and physical activity teen girls groups. Research methods and the explored – for the... [to full text]

Eating disorders are debilitating psychiatric conditions which often result in severe impairment in many life domains. The sociocultural model specifies mechanisms through which sociocultural pressure leads to eating pathology among young women (Stice, 1994) and posits that exposure to the Western cultural thin ideal, internalization of the ideal and experience of a difference between self and ideal leads to body dissatisfaction, which is a well validated precursor to eating pathology. The current research examined whether the relationships between awareness of Western appearance ideals, internalization of such ideals, and body dissatisfaction were moderated by family food-related experiences and self-compassion. The current paper also investigated whether the strength of relationships between awareness of Western appearance ideals, internalization of such ideals, and body dissatisfaction are affected by certain types of family food-related experiences. Female university students (N = 106) completed self-report questionnaires. Results indicated that mindfulness, a constituent of self-compassion, moderated the relationship between internalization of cultural thinness standards and body dissatisfaction. In addition, self-compassion, each component of self-compassion and women’s perception of negative maternal family food-related experiences predicted internalization of Western societal norms of thinness, as well as body dissatisfaction. Moreover, women’s perception of negative paternal family food-related experiences predicted body dissatisfaction. Women’s perception of negative maternal commentary predicted internalization of Western beauty standards and body dissatisfaction. Finally, women’s perception of negative paternal commentary and paternal modelling of eating difficulties and body image concerns predicted internalization of those values. Future research should attempt to clarify causal relationships among self-compassion and family food-related experiences within the sociocultural model of eating disorders.

Eating disorders and disordered eating habits and behaviors were measured using the Eating Disorders Inventory-3 Referral Form (EDI-3 RF). The sample consisted of 159 elite, collegiate student athletes, males and females, aged 18 to 22. Five sports were represented, including basketball, gymnastics, soccer, swimming & diving, and volleyball. Overall, findings support the position that athletes, as a distinct population, and specifically female athletes and those that participate in lean sports, are at an increased risk for disordered eating behaviors and diagnosable eating disorders. Of the 159 total athletes that completed the questionnaire, 33% (n=53) of the athletes sampled met one or more referral criteria based on reported behavior in the 3 months prior. A total of 37 athletes were referred to professional healthcare providers for meeting criteria of disordered eating behavior according the the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 Referral Form.

Worldwide. adolescents are at risk of dcvdoping eating disorders since they tire in a process of negot ia( ing important developmental tasks and are thus vulnerable to the internalisation of the thin ideal (Polivy 8: Herman, 2002). Body dissatisfaction, bulimia nnd drive for thinness haw been identified as the primary risk factors related to developing eating disorders (Garner, 2004). Despite the heightened vulnerability during adolescence and societal pressures to be thin. some adolescents are happy with their bodies and arc not body dismtisfied nor have a drive for thinness. Since adolesccnce is associated with negotiating an identity. Berzonsky's (1999) socialcognitive model of identity formation is instrumental in exploring the relationship betn~ccn identity style and factors associated with eating disorders. Furthermore. Berzonsky's (1999) informational identity style (11s) as well as the normative identity style (N IS) are positively correlated LO psychological well-being (PWB) whcreas the diffuse-avoidant identity style (DAIS) is negatively correlated to PWB. Consensus has not been reached with regard to this (Adams et al.. 2001), thus this investigation may provide impomn~ information with regard to the application of identity styles and iii Ryffs (1995) six dimensions of PWB in Suture preventive programmes. This study aimed to investigate thc relalionship between idcnrity styles. the primary eating disorder risk factors, psychological traits associated with eating disorders and the six dimensions of psychological well-being (PWB). Furthermore. it aimed to investigate wllcther the three groups of identity styles diflered significantly in terms of the primary eating disorder risk Faclors, psychological traits associaied with eating disorders and the six dimensions of PWB. Lastly. it aimed to investigate whether different age and race groups of adolescent girls differed significantly in identity style. primary eating disorder risk factors, psychological traits associated \vith eating disorders and PWB. A one-shot cross-sectional survey design was used in which an availability and multicultural sample of adolescent females(n=290) ranging from 13- to 17-year old in grades 9 to 11 attending an English high school in the Gauteng Province was used. They completed the Eating Disorder Inventory3 (EDI-3) (Gamer, 2004). Identity Style Inventory ( E l ) (Berzonsky, 1992). Scales of Psychological Well- Being (SPWB) (Ryff, 1989a). a self-designed biographical qucstiomaire and their b d y Mass Indcx (BMI) was recorded. Significant negative cor~lationsw erc fbund between the dimensions of PWB, eating disorder risk factors and associated psychological traits. Self-acceptance. enviro~unental mastery and positive relations appeared to be key dimensions negatively associated with the prinlary eating disorder risk factors and associated psychological traits. Identity styles did not direr significantly with regard to the primary eating disorder risk factors. however relationships were found between identity styles and some psycl~ologicat traits associated with eating disorders. These included the positive correlalion betwecn the IIS and perfectionism. the negative correlation betwecn the NIS versus personal alienation and interpersonal alienation and the positive correlation between [he DAIS and introceptive delicits. Comparisons between the rhret. identity styles and each of the six dimensions of PWB validarcd that femalc adolescents using an [IS and NIS experience greater levels of P%JB than compared lo their DAIS counterparts. Although age did not impact on the in~plementaliono f identity styles nor the primary eating disorder risk factors and associated psychcllogical traits. the 17-year-old age group experienced greater levels of PWB with regard to autonomy, environmental mastery and personal growth. Furt hcrmore, no significant di fferenccs were found with regard to race, identity styles. the primary eating disorder risk factors and PWB. Black female adolcscents experienced more interpersonal insecurity and maturity fears than the White female adolescents in this study. These findings encourage the development of a regression model identifying protective factors in future research as wcll as constructing an effective preventive programme against eating disorders in female adolescents. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Among women in North America, body dissatisfaction is prevalent and well documented. Women are often unhappy with their bodies and strive to change their bodies to fit the dominant cultural ideal of beauty and femininity. Within this context, in which women are expected to focus tremendous resources, time, and energy on bodily striving and body dissatisfaction, some women are able to resist these expectations. They experience joy with their bodies—joy that is not contingent on their appearance, size, or weight. With respect to women’s embodied experiences of joy, a number of significant gaps exist in the research literature. The current study examined women’s experiences of embodied joy through the use of qualitative research methods, including individual interviews and a focus group. A feminist constructivist grounded theory frame was utilized. The findings of this analysis indicated the presence of four core dimensions of women’s joyful body experiences as a form of resistance to bodily dissatisfaction. The first core dimension addressed the experience of embodied joy, which included attunement, growth, liberation, and thriving. The second core dimension addressed participants’ active creation of environments that nurtured joy, including: creating spaces that facilitated embodied joy, creating internal openness to the experience of joy, and seeking supportive social relationships. The third core dimension addressed enacting joy in the context of resistance and struggle, specifically when navigating the imposition of the other’s external gaze. This core dimension included the themes of media deconstruction, disengagement from problematic relationships, personal practices of resistance, and critical political consciousness. The fourth core dimension involved enacting joy in the context of resistance and struggle as a journey towards joy, which included reclaimed childhood experiences, disruption and reconnection, and guiding other girls and women. The present study has implications for clinical work as well as for health promotion. Ultimately, women’s experiences of embodied joy both reflected their resistance to cultural dictates and further enabled them to resist the dictate of bodily dissatisfaction.

Among women in North America, body dissatisfaction is prevalent and well documented. Women are often unhappy with their bodies and strive to change their bodies to fit the dominant cultural ideal of beauty and femininity. Within this context, in which women are expected to focus tremendous resources, time, and energy on bodily striving and body dissatisfaction, some women are able to resist these expectations. They experience joy with their bodies—joy that is not contingent on their appearance, size, or weight. With respect to women’s embodied experiences of joy, a number of significant gaps exist in the research literature. The current study examined women’s experiences of embodied joy through the use of qualitative research methods, including individual interviews and a focus group. A feminist constructivist grounded theory frame was utilized. The findings of this analysis indicated the presence of four core dimensions of women’s joyful body experiences as a form of resistance to bodily dissatisfaction. The first core dimension addressed the experience of embodied joy, which included attunement, growth, liberation, and thriving. The second core dimension addressed participants’ active creation of environments that nurtured joy, including: creating spaces that facilitated embodied joy, creating internal openness to the experience of joy, and seeking supportive social relationships. The third core dimension addressed enacting joy in the context of resistance and struggle, specifically when navigating the imposition of the other’s external gaze. This core dimension included the themes of media deconstruction, disengagement from problematic relationships, personal practices of resistance, and critical political consciousness. The fourth core dimension involved enacting joy in the context of resistance and struggle as a journey towards joy, which included reclaimed childhood experiences, disruption and reconnection, and guiding other girls and women. The present study has implications for clinical work as well as for health promotion. Ultimately, women’s experiences of embodied joy both reflected their resistance to cultural dictates and further enabled them to resist the dictate of bodily dissatisfaction.

Objectifs : La chirurgie orthognathique induit un changement de la morphologie du visage. Les effets fonctionnels et esthétiques sont bien connus, mais les répercussions psychologiques sont plus difficiles à explorer. Cette recherche propose d’étudier 1) l’impact de la chirurgie orthognathique sur plusieurs variables psychologiques et sociales et 2) l’impact des traits de personnalité des patients insatisfaits sur l’insatisfaction postopératoire.Méthode : ce travail longitudinal inclut 288 patients devant subir une chirurgie orthognathique. Un auto-questionnaire a été distribué un mois avant l'intervention (T1), trois à six mois après (T2) et un an après (T3). Cinq études ont été menées. les trois premières évaluent l'impact de la chirurgie orthognathique sur la santé mentale (GHQ-28), l'estime de soi (SEI), l'image du corps (MBSRQ et SATAQ), la qualité de la vie (WHOQOL-BREF) et la personnalité (BFI). La quatrième porte sur la validation d'outils de mesure de la satisfaction opératoire. La cinquième décrit les caractéristiques des patients insatisfaits et tente d'identifier des variables prédictives de l'insatisfaction. Résultats : Etude 1. Il existe une amélioration de la dépression sévère à T2 mais il n'y a pas d'amélioration de la santé mentale et de l'estime de soi à T3. L'image du corps est améliorée mais l'ivestissement de l'apparence n'évolue pas et les préoccupations liées au poids augmentent significativement. Etude 2. La qualité de vie est partiellement améliorée (relations sociales et santé physique) mais elle reste inférieure à celle de la population générale. Etude 3. Extraversion, agréabilité et névrosisme sont modifiés à T2 et se rapprochent de leur état initial à T3. La chirurgie améliore l'ouverture mais pas la conscience. Etude 4. Cinq échelles ont été validées afin d'appréhender la satisfaction postopératoire.: 1) échelle de satisfaction postopératoire, échelles de 2) soutien familial et social, 3) améliorations constatées de ma vie, 4) satisfaction liée à l'information et 5) qualité de la relation avec le chirurgien...... / Objectives :Orthognathic surgery induces a change in the morphology of the face. The functional and aesthetic effects are well known, but the psychological effects are more difficult to explore. This research proposes to investigate 1) the impact of orthognathic surgery on several psychological and social variables and 2) the impact of personality traits of dissatisfied patients on postoperative dissatisfaction. Method : this longitudinal research includes 288 patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed one month before orthognathic surgery (T1), three to six months after (T2) and one year after (T3). Five studies were conducted. Three of them assess the impact of orthognathic surgery on mentalhealth (GHQ-28), self-esteem (SEI), body image (MBSRQ and SATAQ), quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) and personality (BFI). The fourth focuses on the validation of tools for evaluating postoperative satisfaction. The fifth describes the characteristics of dissastisfied patients and attempts to identify predictors of dissatisfaction. Results : Study 1. There is an improvement of severe depression at T2 but there is no improvement of mental health and self-esteem at T3. Body image is improved but appearence orientation does not change and overweight preoccupations significantly increase; Study 2. Quality of life is partially improved (social relationships and physical health) but it remains lower than the general population's. Study 3. Extraversion, agreableness and neuroticism are modified at T2 and close to their original state at T3. The surgery improves openness but not consciousness. Study 4. Five scales have been validated to explore postoperative satisfaction : 1) scale of postoperative satisfaction, scales of 2) familial and social support, 3) improvements seen in my life, 4) satisfaction with the information and 5) quality of relationship with the surgeon.....

São Marcos, no Rio Grande do Sul, caracteriza-se por sua participação no setor do transporte rodoviário de cargas, sendo o município brasileiro com maior número de veículos pesados por habitante. Este trabalho busca identificar os fatores que influenciam a tomada de decisão dentro desse ramo de negócios. Assim, são estudados quatro casos de profissionais da área. Esses indivíduos iniciaram sua trajetória na condição de empregados, passando em seguida para a fase de autônomos. No entanto, apenas dois deles prosperaram, tornando-se empresários; os outros dois retornaram à condição de empregados. O estudo também possibilitou identificar o nível de insatisfação dos empregados do setor na busca de um progresso dentro do mesmo, assim como observar o perfil de competência daqueles que chegam a implantar suas próprias organizações. Dessa forma, é possível formar um paralelo entre as experiências bem-sucedidas e as tentativas frustradas. Os dados foram levantados a partir de uma série de fontes de evidências como entrevistas, registros de arquivos e documentos dos personagens referidos. A análise desses dados leva à interpretação de dois fatores como fundamentais na tomada de decisões dos indivíduos que trabalham no transporte rodoviário de cargas: a intuição e a influência de outras pessoas que cercam os tomadores de decisão. Esses fatores reforçam a idéia da subjetividade dentro do processo administrativo. O trabalho possibilita a formação de um quadro de dados gerais a respeito do setor. Além disso, serve de referencial às atitudes de organizações públicas e privadas, de pessoas ligadas ao ramo e de jovens que pretendem entrar nesse universo de trabalho. / São Marcos, in Rio Grande do Sul, is characterized by its the significant shore in the road cargo transport sector, it is the Brazilian county with the largest number of heavy vehicles per inhabitant. The present research tries to identify the factors that influence decision-making in this business activity. Four case studies were developed with professional workers. These people have started their career as employees, later having become selfemployed. However, only two, out of the four become, becoming successful entrepreneurs. The other two went back to the condition of employees. Through the study it was also possible to identify the dissatisfaction levels of among employees in the sector, who look for professional development, as well as to observe the professional profile of those who reached of establishing their own companies. Therefore, it is possible to make a comparison between successful experiences and fruitless efforts in the field. Data were collected from several sources like interviews, file registers and documents of the referred people. Analysis of these data leads to the identification of two main factors influencing decision-making of people who work in cargo road transport: intuition and influence of other people around them. These factors reinforce the assumption of subjectivity in the management process. The research makes it possible to create a general profile of people involved in this activity. Besides it is a useful reference for the study of public and private organizational behavior, for people already involved in the area and for young people who intend to enter the area.

São Marcos, no Rio Grande do Sul, caracteriza-se por sua participação no setor do transporte rodoviário de cargas, sendo o município brasileiro com maior número de veículos pesados por habitante. Este trabalho busca identificar os fatores que influenciam a tomada de decisão dentro desse ramo de negócios. Assim, são estudados quatro casos de profissionais da área. Esses indivíduos iniciaram sua trajetória na condição de empregados, passando em seguida para a fase de autônomos. No entanto, apenas dois deles prosperaram, tornando-se empresários; os outros dois retornaram à condição de empregados. O estudo também possibilitou identificar o nível de insatisfação dos empregados do setor na busca de um progresso dentro do mesmo, assim como observar o perfil de competência daqueles que chegam a implantar suas próprias organizações. Dessa forma, é possível formar um paralelo entre as experiências bem-sucedidas e as tentativas frustradas. Os dados foram levantados a partir de uma série de fontes de evidências como entrevistas, registros de arquivos e documentos dos personagens referidos. A análise desses dados leva à interpretação de dois fatores como fundamentais na tomada de decisões dos indivíduos que trabalham no transporte rodoviário de cargas: a intuição e a influência de outras pessoas que cercam os tomadores de decisão. Esses fatores reforçam a idéia da subjetividade dentro do processo administrativo. O trabalho possibilita a formação de um quadro de dados gerais a respeito do setor. Além disso, serve de referencial às atitudes de organizações públicas e privadas, de pessoas ligadas ao ramo e de jovens que pretendem entrar nesse universo de trabalho. / São Marcos, in Rio Grande do Sul, is characterized by its the significant shore in the road cargo transport sector, it is the Brazilian county with the largest number of heavy vehicles per inhabitant. The present research tries to identify the factors that influence decision-making in this business activity. Four case studies were developed with professional workers. These people have started their career as employees, later having become selfemployed. However, only two, out of the four become, becoming successful entrepreneurs. The other two went back to the condition of employees. Through the study it was also possible to identify the dissatisfaction levels of among employees in the sector, who look for professional development, as well as to observe the professional profile of those who reached of establishing their own companies. Therefore, it is possible to make a comparison between successful experiences and fruitless efforts in the field. Data were collected from several sources like interviews, file registers and documents of the referred people. Analysis of these data leads to the identification of two main factors influencing decision-making of people who work in cargo road transport: intuition and influence of other people around them. These factors reinforce the assumption of subjectivity in the management process. The research makes it possible to create a general profile of people involved in this activity. Besides it is a useful reference for the study of public and private organizational behavior, for people already involved in the area and for young people who intend to enter the area.