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.

Este estudo aborda a temática das relações existentes entre a formação universitária e a imagem social de mulheres negras universitárias da área da saúde e suas possíveis transformações pessoais e sociais. Considerando que a formação universitária produz uma valorização social e os seus desdobramentos influenciam nos papéis sociais vividos por este grupo. Buscamos assim, descrever a imagem social de mulheres negras na perspectiva de mulheres negras universitárias e sua autoimagem social; e analisar a influencia da formação universitária na autoimagem social das mesmas. Metodologia: Pesquisa descritivo-exploratória com abordagem qualitativa, realizada com roteiro de entrevista semi estruturada com dez entrevistadas que se autodeclararam pretas ou pardas matriculadas em Programa de Pós-graduação (Mestrado) de uma universidade pública estadual no município do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil). Os dados produzidos foram analisados e interpretados à luz da análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Deste processo emergiram três categorias. A primeira categoria A imagem social da mulher negra na perspectiva de mulheres negras universitárias descreve a condição desigual da mulher negra na sociedade a partir da desvalorização do gênero feminino e da raça (sexismo e o racismo) e o corpo da mulher negra como objeto de sensualidade. A segunda categoria - A formação universitária na vida de mulheres negras desdobrou-se em duas categorias intermediárias: Situações positivas vivenciadas durante a formação (formação universitária como veículo para as transformações sociais e pessoais a partir da ampliação do conhecimento científico e a melhora na inserção social); Situações negativas (desigualdades de classes, sentimentos de indecisão, frustração frente à escolha do curso e limitações na aprendizagem e adaptação). A terceira categoria A autoimagem social de mulheres universitárias negras desenvolve a percepção das entrevistadas acerca da sua autoimagem a partir do processo de formação universitária, e desdobra-se em visões positivas e negativas sobre sua autoimagem. A visão positiva destaca o empoderamento diante da sua condição étnica caracterizado por atitudes perseverantes e demonstração de competência no cotidiano, favorecendo o fortalecimento de posições sociais; algumas inclusive não identificam vivenciar diferenças sociais pela etnia. A visão negativa foi descrita a partir dos sentimentos de baixa estima, insegurança no posicionamento nos espaços sociais e a dificuldade de falar sobre a sua autoimagem. Para as depoentes a autoimagem se traduz não no estereótipo, mas, nas conquistas sociais que elas alcançam decorrente da formação universitária. A formação universitária se torna condição fundamental para transpor os estigmas sociais que interferem na imagem social deste grupo populacional na sociedade. / This study approaches the theme of existing relationships between college background and social image for African-descendant women in the health care field and its possible personal and social transformations. We bear in mind that college background results in social appreciation and its consequences influence the social roles played by this group. Therefore, we seek to describe African-descendant women's social image from the perspective of African-descendant college women and their social self-image; we further seek to analyze the influence of college background in their social self-image. Methodology: Descriptive exploratory research with qualitative approach, carried out with partially-structured interview scripts with ten interviewees who have self-declared African-descendants or dark-skinned individuals enrolled in Graduate Programs (Master's Degree) from a public state university in the district of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The data produced were analyzed and interpreted according to Bardin's content analysis technique. Three categories emerged from this process. The first category African-descendant women's social image from the perspective of African-descendant college women describes the unequal condition of from the perspective of African-descendant women in society from the depreciation of female gender and race (sexism and racism), as well as the African-descendant women body as sex object. The second category - College background in the life of African-descendant women broke down into two intermediary categories: Positive situations experienced during education (college education as a vehicle for social and personal transformation from the broadening of scientific knowledge and improved social insertion); Negative situations (class inequalities, feelings of indecision, frustration towards the choice for the course and learning and adaptation constraints). The third category African-descendant college women's self-image develops the interviewees perception regarding their self-image from the college education process, and unfolds in positive and negative views on their self-image. The positive view highlights the empowerment before their ethnic condition, characterized by persevering attitudes and e evidence of competence on their daily lives, favoring the strengthening of social positions; moreover, some of them do not report experiencing social differences due to their ethnic condition. The negative view was described from the feelings of low self-esteem, insecurity towards their position in the social environment and difficulty to talk about their self-image. For the interviewees, self-image is not expressed by stereotypes, but by the social accomplishments they achieve as a result of their college background. College background becomes a paramount condition to overcome the social stigmas that interfere in this groups social image in society.

Estudo de abordagem qualitativa que fundamentou-se em referenciais socioculturais, tomados da antropologia e apoiu-se no interacionismo simbólico, com o objetivo de identificar se a mastectomia realizada num grupo de mulheres mexicanas com câncer de mama interferiu na sua qualidade de vida. Foram entrevistadas vinte mulheres que são assiatidas no Centro Estatal de Atenção Oncologica da cidade de Morelia, Michoacán no México, para seu tratamento e controle da enfermidade. Os dados coletados das entrevistas foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo e foi utilizada a técnica de análise temática. Assim, foram identificadas unidades temáticas que convergiram na auto-imagem, auto-estima e relacionamento conjugal, antes e após a mastectomia, com características positivas, que fornecem, e com características negativas, que debilitam a qualidade de vida nestes aspectos. Assim, antes da mastectomia elas sentiam-se satisfeitas com o próprio corpo e felizes por cumprirem os seus papéis sociais. O aspecto que diminuiu a qualidade de vida antes da mastectomia, caracterizou-se por uma desvalorização de suas identidades. Após a mastectomia, observaram-se aspectos positivos como a atitude de superação, a adoção da estratégia do autocuidado e a importância que elas dão ao suporte social. Os aspectos que influenciaram de forma negativa na qualidade da auto-imagem e auto-estima são descritos por elas como um processo de luto pela perda da mama, o isolamento e estigma a que foram submetidas, a desesperança vivida por elas, em muitas ocasiões e a incerteza de estarem livres da enfermidade. O relacionamento conjugal também apresenta características que fortalecem ou diminuem a qualidade de vida. Antes da mastectomia, esteve caracterizado pela minoria como uma atitude de aproximação social e sexual dos cônjuges. A maioria apontou aspectos negativos como o distanciamento social, emocional e sexual. Após a mastectomia o aspecto positivo caracterizou-se pela proximidade conjugal e pelo suporte social que favoreceram nas mulheres a sensação de alivio e bem-estar. O aspecto negativo definido por uma parcela considerável delas, foi a distância sexual,geradora de estresse pessoal e de muito sofrimento e pesar. / Qualitative approach study it is based in a social-cultural referentials, used in anthropological studies and supported on the Symbolic Interactionism. The objetive was to identify if a group of Mexican women mastectomized with breast cancer, were affected in their quality of life. Twenty women who assist to the Oncologyc Attention Center of Morelia, Michoacán, México, for the treatment and control of their disease were interviewed. The data obtained at the interviews was submitted for analysis of content and thematic analysis method was employed. Thus, thematic units that converge were identified in self-image, self-esteem and the conjugal relationship before and after the mastectomy, being observed with positive characteristics that strengthened and negative which debilitated the quality of life in these aspects. It was observed that before the mastectomy, they felt satisfied with their body and happy to fulfil their social roles. The aspect that diminished the quality of life before the mastectomy was characterized by a devaluation of their identity. After the mastectomy, positive aspects were observed such as: the attitude of overcoming, the adoption of the strategy of self-care, and the importance given for them to the social support. The aspects that influenced negatively in the quality of the self-image and self-esteem, were described by them as a process of mourning for the loss of the breast, the isolation and stigma to which they were submitted, the hopelessness experence by them in many occasions and the uncertainty to remain free of the disease. The conjugal relationship also presented characteristics that strengthened or debilitated the quality of life. Before the mastectomy, a minority characterized it as an attitude of social and sexual approximation to the partners; the majority had a trendency towards the negative aspects such as the social, emotional and sexual distance. After the mastectomy, the positive aspect was characterized by the conjugal proximity and the social support that favored in the women the sensation of relief and wellbeing. And the negative aspect, defined by considerable number of them, as the sexual distance that acts as generator of personal stress and much suffering and sorrow.

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.

Mental disorder and criminal activity is always a current topic because of high promotion of offences in the media which enhances its stigmatization. The aim of the work was mapping of patient's view of his criminal activities. We described criminal proceedings with mentally ill offender and measures of protection. We addressed to chosen aspects of perceiving of criminal activities - motivation, attribution of guilt, self-image and punishment. We described mental disorders in psychiatric protective treatment and their forensic significance. We used the qualitative analysis of semi-structured interview, method called pie of guilt, medical records and forensic expert testimony. The sample consisted of 16 patients of psychiatric protective treatment in Psychiatric hospital Bohnice, Praha, Czech republic. Collected data are various and they account for the heterogenity of research group. The main work result is a support for opinion that not only mental disorder, but also many other factors such as personality, substance abuse or poor impulse control, are responsible for the origin of offence and that patients are conscious of it and they don't interpret it only within the frame of mental disorder. The work highlights on the using of many ego mechanisms of defense to cope with feelings of guilt and...

The study is a qualitative explanation of the emotional responses of children with learning difficulties regarding their social interaction experiences. The primary research question that guided the study is: What are the emotional responses of children with learning difficulties regarding their social interaction experiences? Two learners were selected to participate in the study. Activity sessions, observations and interviews were conducted to determine the participants’ emotional responses regarding their social interaction experiences. Theme analysis was used to analyze the data collected. Seven main themes with sub-themes pertaining to the main themes, emerged from the data. The findings of the study are understood in terms of a Vygotskian social development framework. The study revealed that the participants, identified as having learning challenges, experienced difficulties in their social interaction experiences. Their emotional responses to their social interaction experiences indicated that the participants found peer learning to be emotionally challenging. They further indicated that they were not included in the majority of their peers’ social activities in the playground setting. Both participants have developed methods of resilience to help them cope with the challenges they face in their social interaction experiences with their peers. These methods help to alleviate stress caused due to the challenges they face with social interaction but these forms of resilience do not help the participants to experience learning taking place in Vygotsky’s (1978) Zone of Proximal Development as the coping mechanisms employed by the participants remove the participants from the majority of their peers’ interactions, rather than include them. Learning in Vygotsky’s (1978) Zone of Proximal Development relies on social interaction, supported by more able peers or adults, resulting in learning taking place at a higher level than the individual would be able to achieve on their own. Copyright / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

The aim of this study was to research how the self-image of women changes after a chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Previous research has been focusing on the implications of hair loss in relation to self-image, in this study more aspects of self-image in relation to a chemotherapy treatment is being researched. Nine semi-structured interviews with women between the ages of 40-60 years have been conducted. The result shows a large variation in how the self-image has changed. Some recurring themes are an increased insight of being mortal, a new perception of the body and an experience of being different. Counselors who work in hospitals are often part of the team that work with women who suffer from breast cancer. Hopefully this study will contribute to a deeper understanding amongst counselors and others who work with these clients of which factors affect how the self-image develops. / Syftet med den här studien var att undersöka hur självbilden hos kvinnor eventuellt påverkas av att genomgå en cytostatikabehandling mot bröstcancer. Tidigare forskning har främst fokuserat på håravfallet i relation till självbilden, i denna studie undersöks fler aspekter av självbilden kopplat till en cytostatikabehandling. Nio semi-strukturerade intervjuer med kvinnor i åldrarna 40–60 år har genomförts. Resultatet visar på en stor variation i hur intervjupersonernas självbild har påverkats. Några återkommande teman är: en ökad insikt om sin egen dödlighet, en förändrad bild av kroppen och en upplevelse av sig själv som annorlunda. Sjukhuskuratorer är en del av det team som finns runt bröstcancerdrabbade kvinnor på sjukhus. Min förhoppning är att studien kommer bidra till en ökad kunskap hos kuratorer och andra som arbetar med denna klientgrupp gällande vilka faktorer som påverkar hur självbilden utvecklas.

Den rådande problematiken i dagens samhälle är inte bara den starka konsumtionshetsen, utan även den psykiska ohälsan. Dagens unga kvinnor är mer aktiva än någonsin på sociala medier och följer influencers som visar normen för hur man ska se ut och vad som skall konsumerasför att vara rätt enligt samhällets bild. Det är därför av intresse att titta på det möjliga inflytandet influencers har på individens konsumtion och självkänsla. Studien syftar till att undersöka och identifiera sambandet mellan influencers och en negativsjälvbild hos unga kvinnor. Rapporten syftar också till att se om det finns en rådandekorrelation mellan psykisk ohälsa och ökad konsumtion. Studiens metodologi är av kvantitativ form. En enkät med 35 frågor genomfördes varav enbart en fråga var av öppen karaktär. Det var 241 respondenter som svarade på enkäten. Respondenterna var alla kvinnor mellan 20-30 år vilka under studien studerade på universitet eller högskola i Västra Götalands län. Det insamlade empiriska materialet i samband med analysen kunde säkerställa att det råder en korrelation mellan influencers och en negativ självbild hos unga kvinnor. Det finns dessutom ett samband mellan kvinnornas självbild och ökad konsumtion. Anledningen till varför dagensunga kvinnor har en negativ självbild kan bero på den exponering och verklighetsfrånvändabild som syns på sociala medier. / The current problem in today’s society is not only the strong consumer unit, but also the mental health issue of young adult women. Today’s young women are more active than ever on social media and follow influencers who are showing the norm for how to look and what to consume to fit in the society. It is therefore interesting to look at the connection between the increase of consumption through a reduced self-esteem. This study aims at investigating and identifying the relationship between influencers and a negative self-image of young women. The report also aims to see if there is a current correlation between the mental health issue and increased consumption. The method used it a quantitative method and the study is written in Swedish. A survey consisting of 35 closed questions and one open question was carried out by 241 respondents. The respondents were all females aged 20-30 who at the time were studying at different universities in Västra Götalands län. The empirical material together with our analysis could confirm that there is a correlation between influencers and a negative self-image in young women. It could also confirm that there is also a connection between the individuals self-image and increased consumption. The reason to why young female consumers today have a negative self-image can be the result of the exposure and false reality that is shown on social media.

Våldsutsatta kvinnor som tagit steget att lämna en destruktiv relation befinner sig i en ständig utvecklingsprocess i relation till sin självbild. Våldets negativa effekter på en individ kan vara mångfaldiga. En våldsutsatt person bär dock ofta en stark tro på en positiv förändring. Våld i nära relationer är ett etablerat samhällsproblem och i flertal fall krävs professionell hjälp för att bearbeta de traumatiska upplevelser som kvinnorna genomlevt. De sociala nätverk som i många fall blivit begränsade har också visat sig ha en stor betydande del i utvecklingsprocessen som kvinnorna går igenom. Syftet med denna kvalitativa intervjustudie var att ta reda på hur personal på skyddat boende upplever de våldsutsatta kvinnornas utvecklingsprocess i fråga om deras självkänsla och självbild under deras tid på det skyddade boendet. Genom de socialpsykologiska ansatser som studien grundas på kunde teorier och begrepp såsom identitet och självbild, spegeljaget, självbilden i relation till makt och kontroll samt normaliseringsprocessen studeras i relation till resultatet. 10 semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med kuratorer på skyddade boenden vilka genererade resultat som påvisade att våldets effekter har en oundviklig påverkan på våldsutsattas självbild. Effekterna innefattar även nedbruten självbild, minskat självvärde, identitetsförvirring och psykosomatiska bekymmer. / Victims of domestic violence who have taken the step of leaving a destructive relationship are in a constant process of development in relation to their self-image. The effects of violence on an individual can be manifold and include a strong belief that the situation will change and it's often based on feelings of hope. Domestic violence is an established social problem and, in most cases, professional help is required to deal with the traumatic experiences that abused women have lived through. The social network that in many cases has been limited has also been shown to have a large impact on the development process that abused women go through. The purpose of this qualitative interview study was to find out how staff experience the development process of abused women in terms of their self-esteem and self-image during their time in sheltered housing. Through the social psychology approach that the study is based on, theories and concepts such as identity and self-image, the looking-glass self,self-image in relation to power and control and the normalization process could be studied in relation to the results. 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted with curators in sheltered housing. The interviews generated results that showed that the effects of domestic violence have an inevitable effect on the self-image of victims of violence and may include a degraded self-image, reduced self-esteem, identity confusion and psychosomatic problems.

Studiens syfte är att undersöka vilka faktorer som bidragit till att kvinnor avslutat den kriminella livsstilen samt hur kvinnor beskriver sin identitet efter att de tagit sig ur den kriminella livsstilen. Studien har använt ett kvalitativt förhållningssätt med semi-strukturerade intervjuer. Studien bestod av sex kvinnliga informanter från KRIS-Kriminellas Revansch I Samhället, för att besvara studiens syfte. Alla informanter har haft en kriminell livsstil men nu avslutat denna. Till denna studie har en tematisk analysmetod tillämpats, där bearbetning av materialet gjordes utifrån sex olika steg.  Resultatet visade sex olika faktorer som var avgörande för att kvinnorna i studien valde att avsluta den kriminella livsstilen: Ingen gråzon, Insikt i den kriminella livsstilen, Att vara förälder, Kopplingar till samhället och andra, Partnerrelationer och Påföljder.  Studien visade att det var en process för informanterna att avsluta den kriminella livsstilen, processen började med att informanterna själva tog ett beslut om att sluta begå brott och missbruka. De flesta kvinnorna kunde exempelvis känna att fängelsestraff var en bidragande faktor för processen till en avslutad kriminalitet, men inte som ett avgörande avslut. Kvinnorna i studien beskrev sin identitet genom egna uppfattningar om sig själva såväl som hur de uppfattat att andra ser på dem. Resultatet var att alla kvinnor i studien förbättrat sin självbild efter att de avslutat sin kriminella livsstil. Två kvinnor pratade dock om att de ibland kände osäkerhet. Avslutningsvis hävdade alla informanter att det måste finnas en inre motivation och vilja för att lyckas avsluta den kriminella livsstilen. / The purpose of the study is to examine which factors that have contributed to women ending the criminal lifestyle and how women of this study describe their identity, after they have left the criminal lifestyle. The study has used a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews. The study consisted of six female informants from KRIS-Kriminella's Revansch I Samhället, to answer the purpose of the study. All the informants have had a criminal lifestyle but have now ended it.  For this study, a thematic analysis method has been applied, where the processing of the data material was made through six different steps. The results showed six different factors that were decisive for the women in the study to choose to end the criminal lifestyle: ‘’No gray area’’, Insight into the criminal lifestyle, Being a parent, Connections to society and others, Partner relationships and Sanctions. The study showed that it was a process for the informants to end the criminal lifestyle, the process began with the informants themselves making a decision to stop committing crimes and abusing. For instance, most women in the study felt that imprisonment was a contributing factor to the process of ending a crime, but not as a decisive ending.The women in the study described their identity through their own perceptions of themselves as well as how they perceived others to look at them.  The result was that all women in the study improved their self-esteem after ending their criminal lifestyle. However, two women said that they sometimes felt insecure. In the conclusion, all the informants claimed that there must be an inner motivation and will to succeed in ending the criminal lifestyle.