<p>Scholars and laypersons are increasingly concerned about the marketing of inappropriate adult fashions directly to <em>tweens</em>, children between the ages of eight and thirteen. Using a symbolic interactionist approach, I consider strategies used to market tween fashion images, and their influence on tween self-image and mother-child relationships.</p> <p>Through content analysis of images in two magazines, <em>Today's Parent</em> and <em>Tiger Beat</em>, I establish that contradictions exist between traditional images of childhood as a time of innocence, and more recent adult or sexualized images of tweenhood; that both these types of representations are gendered; and that both reinforce gender roles in childhood and tweenhood alike.</p> <p>Through qualitative interviews with mothers and tweens, I explore the meanings they associate with tween fashion and their influence on tween self-image. Both mothers and tweens are somewhat influenced by marketing strategies that use brands, logos and celebrity role models to market tween fashion. However, mothers use maternal "gatekeeping" strategies such as solo shopping, and control of financial resources, to mitigate the influence of fashion marketing on their tweens, and to avoid disagreements with their children over potentially inappropriate fashion styles.</p> <p>Tweens themselves actively filter corporate messages based on their own internalized gendered meanings learned through socialization. The opinions of their mothers, primarily, and their peers, influence their assessments of clothing as appropriate or inappropriate, regardless of marketing strategies. Notably, tween girls use internalized gendered meanings to differentiate between fashions that convey a "good girl" image or a "trampy" image, reproducing patriarchal versions of women as madonnas or whores, even at this age. Despite moral panics, a symbolic interactionist approach inspired by the principles of the new sociology of childhood, privileges tweens' voices and reveals them to be embedded within social networks that temper the influence of tween fashion.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Unga kvinnors press att se ut på ett visst sätt ökar som i sin tur leder till att skönhetsingrepp blir mer vanligt. Tidigare forskning har visat att kroppsmissnöje är en anledning till att unga kvinnor väljer att genomföra skönhetsingrepp. Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka unga kvinnors perspektiv på kosmetiska skönhetsingrepp. För att möjliggöra detta har en kvalitativ intervjumetod använts med åtta kvinnliga deltagare mellan 21–28 år som genomgått något typ av kosmetiskt ingrepp. En tematisk analys har använts för att analysera materialet. Resultatet pekar bland annat på kroppsmissnöje och kroppskomplex som har varit bidragande orsaker till kvinnornas genomföranden av kosmetiska ingrepp. Hos deltagarna var förbättrad självkänsla efter genomfört ingrepp en tydlig konsekvens och de hade en positiv inställning till skönhetsingrepp. I helhet visar studien att faktorer som sociala medier upplevs bidra till valet att utföra ett skönhetsingrepp och en positiv syn av skönhetsingrepp syns bland deltagarna. Studien har bidragit med ökad kunskap om bakomliggande orsaker till att unga kvinnor väljer att genomföra skönhetsingrepp.

L’objectif de cette recherche est d’étudier les concepts « Image de soi » et « satisfaction professionnelle » dans les groupes d’appartenance du travail, dans une approche cognitive et conative (affect et ses effets). Il s’agit de montrer que l’Image de soi au travail est liée aux différents niveaux de satisfaction des sujets face à leur emploi. Ces niveaux de satisfaction dépendent de leur niveau d’attentes. La satisfaction professionnelle repose donc sur le sujet et non sur l’emploi lui-même. C’est pourquoi, cette notion s’insère dans un système comprenant, d’une part, les aspects de l’emploi et ses avantages et, d’autre part, l’individu et ses attentes. L’étude porte sur 63 sujets, une population relativement réduite d’un point de vue statistique mais avec laquelle nous avons pu mettre en lumière des résultats intéressants que, par prudence, nous considérerons comme valables pour ladite population seulement.À la lumière de l’analyse corrélée des divers paramètres explorés, l’étude révèle qu’il existe réellement un système d’attentes « théoriques », strictement inhérentes au sujet, et un système d’attentes diversifiées issu des différences individuelles et culturelles. La satisfaction des fonctionnaires du Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Prévoyance Sociale du GABON est tributaire des avantages matériels que leur emploi leur procure (bureau climatisé et équipé, voiture de service, salaires et primes…), associés à des aspects extérieurs au travail (logement de standing, revenus complémentaires, reconnaissance sociale…). Tous ces éléments participent à la construction de l’image de réussite qu’ils renvoient aux autres. Et cette image est fortement tributaire de l’image que ces fonctionnaires se font d’eux-mêmes, associée à leurs attentes. À la lumière de cette étude expérimentale qui repose aussi sur une étude théorique consacrée à la psychologie du travail dans le contexte de la fonction publique et, plus spécifiquement au vécu des fonctionnaires au travail (leur représentation de leur position, directement dans la structure, mais aussi à l’extérieur, dans la société qu’ils côtoient), il apparaît que l’image de réussite requiert une image positive de soi, révélatrice d’un sentiment de satisfaction professionnelle et personnelle. Les résultats de notre expérimentation tendent à vérifier, cette dernière affirmation, étude qui appelle des recherches plus approfondies. / The objective of this research is to study the concepts of “self-Image” and “Satisfaction” in the membership of groups working in a cognitive and conative (affects and effect). It is shown that self-image at work is linked to different levels of satisfaction issues facing their jobs. These levels of satisfaction depend on their level of expectations. Job satisfaction is thus based on the subject and not on the job itself. Therefore, this concept fits into a system comprising, first, aspects of employment and benefits and, secondly, the individual and his expectations.The study covers 63 subjects, a relatively small population of a statistical point of view but with which we could highlight some interesting results that, by caution, we consider as valid only for that population.In light of the analysis correlated the different parameters explored, the study reveals that there is actually a system of expectations “theoretical” strictly inherent to the subject, and a variety of expectations from the individual and cultural differences. The satisfaction of officials of the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Welfare of Gabon depends on the material benefits that their jobs provide them (room air-conditioned and equipped, car service, salaries and bonuses…), related to aspects outside the work place (luxury housing, additional income, social recognition…).All these elements contribute to building the image of success they relate to others. And this image is strongly dependent on the image that these officials are themselves associated with their expectations. In light of this experimental study is also based on a theoretical study devoted to the psychology of work in the context of public service and, more specifically to the experiences of staff at work (their representation of their position, directly in the structure, but also outside in the society around them), it appears that the image of success requires a positive self-image, revealing a sense of professional and personal satisfaction. The results of our experiments tend to verify this last statement, which calls for study of further research.

The aim of this thesis is to examine how the construction of the swedish national self-image can be interpreted in relation to the protests against the russian anti-gay laws, leading up to the olympic games in Sotji 2014. I form a basis for my analysis in Jasbir K. Puars conceptual frame of homonationalism and examine the swedish political action Live and Let Love that took place at Stockholms Stadion in the fall of 2013. The analysis shows how the inclusion of a homonormative homosexuality becomes an important factor for the construction of Sweden as an open and tolerant nation in contrast to Russia as a non tolerant nation. This construction of "us" and the "Other" manifests through a discourse of tolerance. The national sense of community is formed through interaction between national symbols and symbols of the LGBT community.

Many college students have reported struggling with mental health problems while dealing with challenging demands of college. The initial theoretical framework for this research was Pearlin's stress process model (SPM). Building on the SPM, the three additional mediating variables of perceived control, meaninglessness, and financial worries were added to create a composite model for the research. Mental health outcomes in the model were measured by a comprehensive range of factors, which included: psychological distress, suicide, substance abuse, and anger. Data were collected from a non-probability convenience sample of 463 undergraduate students attending a large state supported university in the southwestern region of the United States. Among the social status variables measured, being married, female, and white were significant predictors of poor mental health in the sampled college students. Poor self-image, feeling of meaninglessness, and worrying about current and future finances were significant mediating variables. Poor mental health could make individuals overwhelmed and discouraged. This is a formula for failure in college. The results of this study contribute to a better understanding of the correlates of mental health problems among college students. A greater understanding means that families and college administrations will have better ideas about how to intervene to reduce the stress of students and to focus the available and often limited resources to help young adults in their college experience.

The skincare sector is among the fastest growing consumer branded products, boasting unprecedented growth rates in emerging markets, as well as steady growth in developed and post-developed markets. Yet, a more relevant question to marketers of branded skincare products is what factors influence consumers’ decisions about where to buy such products, and whether or not to spread positive word-of-mouth (WOM) about products and store preferences. Sirgy’s (1982, 1985) self-congruence theory postulates that the greater the match between a consumer’s self-image and the image of a retailer’s typical patron, the greater the likelihood that the consumer will prefer and patronize that retailer. However, a review of the literature on self-image congruence shows a lack of consensus with respect to: 1) the effect of self-image congruence on retail patronage, and 2) the relative strength of the four dimensions (i.e., actual/ideal self- and social/ideal social self-image) of self-image congruence on consumer preferences and choices (e.g., Ibrahim & Najjar, 2008; Kang, Tang, Lee, & Bosselma, 2012). Further, Sirgy, Grewal, and Mangleburg (2000) suggested that the more a consumer matches a retailer’s store attributes with those of an ideal store, the more likely the consumer will prefer and patronize the retailer. Thus, an integrative model (Sirgy et al., 2000) that captures the effects of retail environment and self-image congruence on retail patronage served as the theoretical foundation of this study. The purpose of this study was to examine interactively the effects of retail environment and self-image congruence on retail shopping experience and patronage behavior of Generation Y-aged (Gen Y) consumers with respect to skincare products (i.e., a sub-sector of cosmetics). Primary data were collected through online surveys from 336 American and 325 Chinese Gen Y consumers. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesized relationships between self-image congruence, functional congruence, retail shopping experience, and retail patronage behavior. The findings indicate that, across the two sample groups examined, both self-image and functional congruence are related positively to Gen Y consumers’ intentions to spread positive WOM about products and store preferences. In addition, functional, but not self-image congruence, is related positively to purchase intentions across the two groups. Importantly, shopping experience, including satisfaction and pleasure, mediates the relationships between self-image, functional congruence, and retail patronage. Finally, the results of multi-group comparisons show that culture moderates the relative strength of the effect of different dimensions of self-image congruence on Gen Y consumers’ evaluations of retail store attributes and their likelihood to disseminate positive WOM. Specifically, the social-domain of image congruence (e.g., how others see me) had a greater influence on WOM for consumers from a collectivistic culture than it did for those from an individualistic culture. In contrast, the self-domain of image congruence (e.g., how I see myself) had a greater effect on Gen Y consumers’ evaluations of store attributes among those from an individualistic culture than it did for those from a collectivistic culture. This study makes three major contributions to the literature. First, the findings confirm the role of self-image and functional congruence on retail shopping experience and patronage behavior. Second, by using two sample groups from vastly different cultures, the study cross-validates the integrative conceptual model that explains consumers’ retail patronage. Finally, the findings add depth to the original self-image congruence theory by identifying conditions in which the relative strength of the relationships differ.

This thesis focuses on the ways of depicting female beauty in ELLE magazine. In the theoretical part, the concept of beauty is defined and the development of the ideal of beauty and the influence of the media on people are described. The attitudes and research on beauty in the media are mentioned and primarily the emphasis is put on depiction of female beauty in the media. The reasons for women accepting the ideal of beauty presented by the media, the real nature of beauty in the media and the possible influence on women's self-esteem are dealt with, as well. The thesis also introduces the development of female magazines and their current role on the Czech market. At the end of the thesis, the campaigns aiming at unreal ideal of beauty in the media are critically evaluated. Mixed research method is used in the thesis; by means of the content analysis the photos of women (in advertisements as well as other pictures) are investigated with emphasis on their characteristics and in connection with the topic of the articles. The semiotic analysis examines the front pages and the message they convey. The aim of the analysis was to determine the most frequent depiction of women and to establish the proportion of articles dealing with appearance.

A obesidade é um excesso de tecido gorduroso e estudos em várias áreas têm apontado sua origem como multifatorial. O índice de obesidade tem aumentado, tanto na população adulta, como infantil. Considerada como um dos fatores de risco à saúde, seu tratamento têm sido sugerido no sentido de cercar todos os aspectos envolvidos na sua origem, visando a modificação de hábitos alimentares e estilo de vida. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi o de realizar uma caracterização das famílias de crianças diagnosticadas como obesas, buscando investigar qual o seu papel na obesidade infantil e conhecer a percepção que essas famílias e a própria criança possuíam em relação ao seu corpo. Participaram do estudo quinze crianças obesas de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 8 e 14 anos, e seus familiares. Foi realizada uma entrevista com a criança e com a família e aplicada a técnica gráfica do Desenho da Figura Humana. Observou-se que a maioria das crianças eram do sexo masculino e a maioria delas tinha idade entre 12 e 14 anos. Em relação aos familiares, observou-se que a maior parte dos pais eram casados e a maioria deles estudou até primeiro grau. Constatou-se que, tanto os familiares quanto as crianças, reconheciam seu excesso de peso e as consequências que este poderia trazer à sua saúde física, nos relacionamentos sociais e à auto-estima. No entanto, alguns familiares apresentavam dificuldades em atuar no controle alimentar devido a sentimentos conflitantes e distorção na percepção da criança e de suas reais necessidades. Observou-se que o excesso de peso trouxe consequências para a auto-imagem da criança e que os hábitos alimentares e estilo de vida de algumas crianças permaneciam inadequados após as orientações do tratamento. Assim, sugere-se um trabalho multidisciplinar com as crianças e, principalmente, com as famílias. / Many studies describe obesity is an excess of fat tissue with multi-factorial causes. Obesity rates have increased in adults as well as in children populations. Considered as one of the risk factors to the health, current treatments tend to take into account all the aspects related to its origin, as for change of feeding habits and lifestyle. The objective of this study is to characterize the families of children diagnosed obese in order to investigate their role in children obesity and know the perception that these families and children have of their own body. Fifteen obese children aged 8 to 14 years old and their families were interviewed and submitted to the human figure drawing test. It was observed that the most of the children was of the masculine sex and the most of them aged 12 and 14 years old. In relation to the relatives, the most of the parents was married and attended elementary schools. It was verified that the relatives as well as children recognized your weights excess and the consequences that it could bring to your physical health, in the social relationships and self-steem. However, the relatives presented difficulties in act in the feeding control due contradictory feelings and distortion in the childs perception and their real needs. The weight excess brought consequences for the childs self-image. Their feeding habits and lifestyle continued inadequate after the treatments orientations. Like this, it is suggested a multi-disciplinary work with the children and mainly the families.

Denna studie har riktat in sig på hur identitet och identitetsskapandet sker, med fokus på sociala mediers påverkan. Framväxten av ett postmodernt samhälle, en individualiserad kultur och en ökad globalisering bidrar till förändring ner på mikronivå vad gäller sociala strukturer och relationer. Studiens huvudteori är Richard Jenkins identitetsteori. Anthony Giddens modernitetsteori kompletterar för att nå problematiken på makronivå medan Erving Goffmans dramaturgiska modell och Thomas J. Scheffs socialpsykologiska teori kring emotionerna skam och stolthet användas som understödjande teorier. Det är en kvalitativ metod som används i form av semistrukturerade intervjuer med sex respondenter mellan 20 och 26 år. Studiens resultat synliggör den jämförelsekultur som förekommer på sociala medier, vilket påverkar individens självbild. Identiteten ter sig dessutom bevisligen olikt online respektive offline. / This study has focused on how identity and identity-creation takes place, with a focus on the influence of social media. The emergence of a postmodern society, an individualized culture and increased globalization contribute to change at the micro level in terms of social structures and relationships. The main theory of the study is Richard Jenkin's theory around social identity. Anthony Giddens modernity theory complements to reach the problem at macro level while Erving Goffman's dramaturgical model and Thomas J. Scheff's social psychological theory of the emotions shame and pride are used as supporting theories. It is a qualitative method that is used in the form of semi-structured interviews with six respondents between 20 and 26 years. The study's results highlight the comparative culture that occurs on social media, which affects the individual's self-image. The identity also appears to be different online verses offline.

Devido à crescente valorização do corpo, além dos transtornos alimentares, os transtornos de imagem têm crescido e alcançado os mais variados perfis, não apenas modelos e atletas, mas também praticantes de exercícios recreacionais, sem escolher sexo, idade e atividade laboral. Observa-se que, as investigações acerca da dismorfia muscular relacionadas a atletas são vastas, contudo há carência de estudos que investiguem a prevalência em outras populações, como, por exemplo, em não atletas e em mulheres. Na dismorfia muscular, ocorre a insatisfação relacionada ao aspecto dos músculos ou simplesmente a percepção alterada da musculatura, o que pode levar à obsessão pela hipertrofia muscular e, consequentemente, pelo treinamento. A obsessão pelo treinamento é conhecida como dependência de exercício e caracteriza-se pela prática mesmo sob condições adversas, como doença ou lesão. Por sua vez, a prática excessiva de exercícios sem o adequado planejamento e sem os períodos suficientes de descanso entre as sessões de treino podem levar ao aparecimento de sinais e sintomas de overtraining, como, por exemplo, o decréscimo prolongado de desempenho físico. Portanto, o objetivo dessa pesquisa, de cunho quantitativo e transversal, foi verificar se há correlação entre dismorfia muscular, dependência de exercício e overtraining em praticantes de musculação. Participaram do estudo 320 sujeitos, entre eles homens e mulheres, com idade entre 18 e 79 anos, praticantes de musculação há, pelo menos, três meses, com frequência mínima de três treinos por semana, de dez diferentes academias do Centro Histórico de Porto Alegre, que foram avaliados por meio de três questionários validados relacionados aos temas da pesquisa, além do questionário de caracterização da amostra. A partir da análise dos dados, conclui-se que indivíduos com risco para dismorfia muscular tendem a apresentar maiores níveis de dependência de exercício. O sexo parece não influenciar maiores níveis de dismorfia muscular, dependência ou overtraining e indivíduos mais jovens parecem ter maiores indícios de dismorfia muscular e de overtraining. Os indivíduos que priorizam o ganho de massa muscular em detrimento de outros objetivos demonstraram maiores associações com risco para dismorfia muscular e com risco para dependência de exercício. / Due to the growing appreciation of the body, in addition to eating disorders, the image disorders have grown and reached the most varied profiles, not only models and athletes, but also practitioners of recreational exercises, without choosing sex, age and work activity. It is observed that the investigations of muscular dysmorphia related to athletes are vast, however, there is a lack of studies investigating the incidence in other populations, such as non-athletes and women. In muscular dysmorphia, there is dissatisfaction related to the appearance of the muscles or simply the altered perception of the muscles, which can lead to an obsession with muscular hypertrophy and, consequently, through training. The obsession with training is known as exercise dependency and is characterized by practice even under adverse conditions such as illness or injury. In addition, excessive exercise without proper planning and lack of sufficient rest periods between training sessions can lead to overtraining signs and symptoms, such as a prolonged decrease in physical performance. Therefore, the objective of this quantitative and cross-sectional study was to verify if there is a correlation between muscle dysmen- der, exercise dependence and overtraining in bodybuilders. A total of 320 subjects, mens and womens, aged between 18 and 79 years, had been trained for at least three months, with a minimum of three training sessions per week, from ten different fitness centers in the Historic Center of Porto Alegre, three validated questionnaires related to the research themes, besides the sample characterization questionnaire. From the analysis of the data, it is concluded that individuals with risk for muscular dysmorphia tend to present higher levels of exercise dependence. Sex does not appear to influence higher levels of muscle dysmorphism, dependence or overtraining, and younger individuals appear to have greater evidence of muscle dysmorphia and overtraining. Individuals who prioritize muscle mass gain over other goals have demonstrated greater associations with risk for muscle dysmorphia and risk for exercise dependence.