Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that occurs almost exclusively in women, with its prominent features being caloric restriction, excessive exercise, and emaciation. Research has found that women with anorexia nervosa generally have less sexual experience and more negative sexual attitudes when compared to "normal" women. There has been little research, however, on the potential relationship between sexuality and anorexic-like symptoms among women who do not meet diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder. Therefore, this study employed a population of college women to investigate the hypothesis that anorexic-like symptoms would be related to less sexual experience and more negative sexual attitudes. The correlations that were obtained did not support the hypotheses. Results are discussed with regard to directions for future research. / Department of Psychological Science

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1996. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-128). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-96). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-96). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Illinois State University, 1998. / Title from title page screen, viewed July 14, 2006. Dissertation Committee: Patricia A. Jarvis (chair), Deborah Gentry, Matthew Hesson-McInnis, Connie B. Horton, Margaret Nauta. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 82-93) and abstract. Also available in print.

In this study the phenomenon of persistent physical symptoms (PPS) has been examined by realist evaluation of research and practice. Nimnuan et al., (2001) have shown that up to 35% of patients in primary care and 66% in specialist out-patient clinics have presented with such ‘medically unexplained’ symptoms. The cost in medical investigation to reach diagnosis for PPS is an estimated 10% of the annual UK National Health Service budget (Bermingham et al., 2010) but poor patient outcomes prevail (Dwamena et al., 2009). Currently, PPS is linked to high comorbidity with anxiety and depression (DH 2011b) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is advised as the evidence based treatment for PPS (IAPT, 2014). However, a shortfall in clinical skills to address PPS is also demonstrated and engagement could be improved (De Lusignan et al., 2014). Moreover, the pragmatic study of alternative therapy modalities and processes for PPS is recommended (Leichsenring, 2005). To obtain a broader knowledge of process for patients with or without co-morbidity, practice based experience suggests that one such alternative is a brief psychodynamic intervention (STPP) for PPS. A Realist Literature Synthesis (Wong et al. 2013) highlights effective psychotherapeutic STPP interventions in real world circumstances in 5 comparison with CBT interventions for heterogenous PPS. STPP for PPS is found at least as effective as CBT, with improved engagement rates. Additionally, common factors were discovered between ‘third generation’ STPP and CBT for effective PPS interventions and these were developed into a preliminary cross-modality theoretical analytical framework. In the realist contextual evaluation (Pawson and Tilley, 1997) of a psychosexual service delivery, the majority of PPS sufferers were found only moderately co-morbid with anxiety and depression. For complete investigative study, clinical tools are developed providing integrative CBT/STPP principles for engagement with PPS for teaching, training and practice. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the reflexive insider position of the realist Therapist-Evaluator facilitates systematically derived Practice-Based Evidence of PPS process, meeting recommendations of Deary et al., (2007) to explore and define process and outcomes with PPS. The findings contribute to development of a conceptual platform to support health professionals in overcoming physical/mental health barriers to addressing PPS and wider patient access to effective care (NHSE, 2014, 2015).

Estuda as práticas sexuais de risco para a infecção pelo HIV entre jovens (18 a 25 anos) do período noturno de escolas públicas da cidade de São Paulo; avalia os efeitos de um modelo de prevenção segundo variáveis baseadas no Modelo de Redução de Risco em AIDS; analisa diferenças entre os gêneros. Desenvolveu-se um estudo longitudinal, envolvendo 4 escolas divididas randomicamente em grupo-intervenção e grupo-controle. 394 estudantes participaram do baseline, sendo que 77% completaram o questionário pós-intervenção. Desenvolvimento de Oficinas de Sexo Mais Seguro com 4 encontros, de 3 horas cada, onde foram discutidos: o simbolismo da AIDS; percepção de risco; influência das normas de gênero nas atitudes; informações sobre AIDS; corpo erótico e reprodutivo; prazer sexual; negociação do uso do preservativo. Dados do baseline mostraram que a freqüência do uso de preservativo foi baixa entre os jovens que mantiveram relação sexual, e que há diferenças significativas entre os gêneros com relação à sexualidade e aspectos envolvidos na prevenção de AIDS. Ao avaliar as oficinas, observaram-se efeitos estatisticamente significativos entre as mulheres, que tiveram relações sexuais mais seguras, e em algumas variáveis envolvidas com a prevenção da AIDS. As mudanças foram menos significativas entre os homens. Conclui-se que o risco para a infecção pelo HIV pode ser diminuído, mas resultados mais expressivos podem ser encontrados se forem enfatizados os obstáculos sócio-econômicos e papéis sexuais de gênero através de programas comunitários específicos de longa duração. / Examines sexual risk for HIV infection among young adults (18 to 25 years old) night school students in São Paulo city; evaluates effects of an HIV/AIDS prevention model through AIDS Risk Reduction Model variables; analyzes gender differences. A longitudinal study was conducted among four public night schools that were randomized into intervention group and control group. 394 students participated in the baseline survey, 77% completed a post intervention questionnaire. Development of Safer Sex Workshops during four sessions with 3 hours each, where they discussed: AIDS symbolism, risk perception, influences of gender norms on attitudes, AIDS-related knowledge, erotic and reproductive body, sexual pleasure, condom negotiation. Condom use was low among students that had sexual relation and gender differences were significant at baseline. Workshops evaluation showed significant effects among women that had more safer sex and in some variables involved with AIDS prevention. Changes were less significant among men. We conclude that the risk to HIV infection can be lowered, but more significant results can be achieved if the socioeconomic barriers and gender differences are considered in specific long-term community programs.

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree MA (Counseling Psychology) in the Department of Psychology Faculty of Arts University of Zululand, 2004. / This is an exploratory study aimed at uncovering the personality dynamics of sexual offenders at Qalakabusha prison hi Empangeni. Various theories were reviewed in relation to the present study. The study was earned out focusing on the offenders who have been convicted for committing rape. With the assistance of officials at Qalakabusha prison, the researcher was able to use the purposive sampling technique hi selecting the respondents. Data was collected hi a series of individual interviews. In addition, the researcher also administered the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory Test (MCMl-IJI) and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) to assess the personality dynamics of sexual offenders. From the themes that emerged from the oral interviews with the research participants, it became evident that many beliefs about rape exists in the form of myths. It also became evident from the personality tests administered, as well as from the themes that emerged from the oral interviews, that through the process of socialization, males are taught to be strong, aggressive and sexually assertive. Females are taught to be submissive, passive and weak. Spurred on by this, males may resort to rape as a method of showing their power over women. The elevations from the MCMI-III suggest that the personality dynamics of sexual offenders is characterized by delusional disorder. Clinical syndromes that were devoted were alcohol dependence, anxiety, somatoform and dysthymia with basic aggressive and antisocial, schizoid, avoidant and depressive, personality patterns. They are also dominated by schizotypal and paranoid personality pathology. It was interesting to note similarities between the themes that emerge from the oval interviews and the scales that were elevated on the MCMI-III Test. These were aggressive outbursts and poor social relations. With regard to the TAT test, the participant's mood and tone were characterized by hesitancy, uncertainty, conflicted anxiety, guilt and self contemptuous. The main hero was an initiator (man), who was powerful. The main theme was that of anger towards females. Similarities also existed between the themes that emerged from the oval interviews and the TAT test administered. In both these, women were perceived as objects to be exploited, and their main needs were those of dominance, sex, aggression and recognition. The study then made the following recommendations: "There is a need for educational programs and public campaigns aimed at reducing the vulnerability to crime in all communities around South Africa, as well as rehabilitation programs, since the research has revealed some of the personality dynamics of sexual offenders. Such programmes would be cost effective and will help to reduce the cost of court hearings, should the offender be brought to trial. Incarceration of the offender whether in state hospital or prison, poses financial burden to the taxpayers. It is also recommended that there is a need for a co-ordinated effort and assistance of the diverse organizations and institutions such as prisons, business, trade unions, welfare agencies, NGO's. schools, and religious organizations to work together in combating crime in South Africa. While less research has been conducted on male rape. This study recommended future research on male (victim) rape, since males also experience the many reactions that females experience (National Victim Center, 1991). In the light of the above recommendations, the study concluded that rape is a crime that not only needs to be prevented but once committed, the involvement of a number of individuals, groups and organizations is needed to resolve the consequences it generates. The research also concluded that the present study made valuable contribution to our understanding of the world of the sexual offenders and was a success despite a few limitations. The understanding of the personality dynamics of sexual offenders through interviews and psychological tests, has indeed formed the basis for the development of an effective integrated prevention program at all levels, i.e. primary (preventing incidence). secondary (preventing prevalence) and tertian' levels (rehabilitation). / National Research Foundation (NRF)

The aim of the present thesis is to find deeper knowledge about women’s experiences of sexuality, desire and pleasure during childbirth. In this thesis there are statements of women’s different kinds of pleasurable and sexual feelings and experiences during birth. Furthermore, factors that may influence some women’s feelings and experiences of a sexual kind are discussed in relation to the common notion that women above all feel fear and pain when giving birth. The thesis is based on ten unstructured interviews with women who have all given birth, most of them recently and in some cases more than ten years ago. The women had all stated before the interview that they had had some kind of pleasurable and/or sexual experiences during or in connection with their childbirth.Result: Almost all of the women who were interviewed had, before giving birth, been unaware about the possibility of lustful and sexual dimensions during labour. There was one statement of experiences not being pleasurable at all during the actual birth but this woman mentioned pleasurable sensations after the baby was born. Some of the women experienced pleasurable and lustful sensations during contractions while others experienced orgasm or preorgasmic sensations during the last part of the pushing stage. There were informants who experienced feelings of desire and/or orgasmic sensations in spite of having epidural analgesia. The women who had experiences of desirable and sexual sensations all stated that these were exclusively personal with no participation from their partners. Nearly all of the participating women had kept these desirable and sexual experiences to themselves and not mentioned them to their partners or anyone else. An important finding was that feelings of shame and different kinds of taboos were the women’s main explanations for not talking about it. Discussion: The scientific literature in this field suggests the possibility of talking about four different discourses about birth. In this thesis the first is called “medical discourse”, with pain/painreleif, monitoring/security, riskthinking and technical development. The second one is named “discourse of ’naturalness’ ”, with influences of earthpower, “naturalness”, sexuality and awareness of the body. The third one is called “religious discourses”, with influences from the madonna myth, shame and taboos. The fourth discourse is called “feminist discourses” where rights, independent choices and sexuality are constituents. The findings suggests that these discourses influence each person`s experience while giving birth. The findings also suggest that, in accordance with the Sexual Script Theory, the influences can be seen on an inter-personal level, in an intra-personal level as well as on a cultural level.Conclusion: The Sexual Script Theory might be applicable as a way to understand women's experiences of sexuality while giving birth.