This study was designed to investigate the question of what goes on in a reader's mind as she transacts with extended text. It was a case study with one respondent, a ten year old girl. She reported, in writing, her thoughts during teacher read aloud, subsequent silent reading of the same text, and group discussions about the text. The findings support and flesh out Rosenblatt.s transactional theory, Vygotsky.s Zone of Proximal Development theory, and Lipman.s Philosophy for Children theory. Conclusions were that there are numerous sociocultural influences on a reader's transaction with text and that these influences must be taken into account in the classroom.

The primary aim of the research attempted to investigate whether ethnic differences in self-image existed amongst White and African females. It further investigated whether specific factors such as family, peer relations and psychosocial factors (specifically perceptions regarding the media) have had a positive or negative influence on weight. Additionally it explored whether black females may still perceive a fuller figure as being more acceptable or whether changes have occurred within past and/or present ideologies. The study used both qualitative and quantitative analysis. In order to establish whether ethnicity was significantly different from BMI, BSQ, SATAQ-3, t-tests (non-parametric one-way ANOVA comparisons) were performed. Ethnicity was not significantly different in relation to the dependent variables BSQ; overall SATAQ-3 scores and its dimensions; and affirmation, belonging and commitment of the MEIM. However significant differences were found between BMI, the overall MEIM and its subscale ethnic identity. Low and high scores of the MEIM revealed no differences across all measurement instruments used within the study, demonstrating no effect upon BSQ or the SATAQ-3 and its subscales. However there was a significant difference found between ethnic groups with regard to BMI. Fisher’s –z was used to conduct comparisons between the correlations established using Pearson’s Rank Coefficient Correlations. The results indicated that significant relationships did exist between the BSQ, specific subscales of the SATAQ-3, and BMI. Results obtained from Fisher’s-z revealed significant differences on the BSQ and SATAQ-3 (including its subscales) correlations. Multiple Regression was conducted to establish whether BMI, MEIM and SATAQ-3 have had an impact upon the outcome of BSQ. The comparisons revealed that BMI and sociocultural factors may have an impact upon the perceptions of body shape and size. Major themes identified within the qualitative analysis were culture, inherited concepts, media, family, friends and parental (mother) influences amongst others. The results revealed that White females may experience greater body dissatisfaction. African females had stated that their body concept is influenced by ethnicity, while White females communicated media and stereotyped images of white females as being the source of pressure to loose weight.

No description available.

The goal of this dissertation is to discuss relationships between the sociocultural environment and nutritional status outcomes in an urban industrialized city with high rates of poverty. The purpose is to highlight the complex web of factors shaping nutritional status outcomes and move beyond cause and effect approaches to nutrition in an environment where obesity is a central nutritional concern. To accomplish this goal, I examine a range of factors that relate to adolescent nutritional practices and nutritional status outcomes in a sample population of adolescents living in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I discuss connections between social locations such as age, gender, geographic area, and socioeconomic status. I also highlight the range of nutritional status outcomes observed in the sample population, while examining broader social, political, and economic aspects of the lives of adolescents that differentially shape nutrition-related experiences in the city. Finally, I demonstrate that adolescents occupy a complex social location in which autonomy, advice, and influence from sociocultural and political-economic factors shape their diet and exercise practices and nutritional status outcomes in multi-faceted, and at times unexpected, ways. In doing so, I emphasize the benefits of a localized, rather than a globalized approach to nutritional concerns such as obesity.

Psychological resilience has been described as a multidimensional, context specific concept, and has been defined in numerous ways that attempt to encapsulate the process by which individuals positively adapt following stress or significant adversity. Research within competitive sport has highlighted several components that influence this process, which include; meta-cognitions and challenge appraisals, coping strategies, personal risk and protective factors, and sociocultural influences (Brown et al., 2015; Galli & Vealey, 2008; Fletcher & Sarkar, 2012; Sarkar & Fletcher, 2014a). Significantly, resilience is described as a dynamic process that is developed through exposure to challenge within the competitive environment (Galli & Vealey, 2008); however, little is known about the nature of psychological resilience at a junior level. The understanding of how resilience is conceptualised at this level is important as this knowledge can help to foster the appropriate protective and promotive factors required to thrive in a competitive junior environment, and best equip athletes for future periods of unrest. The aims of the current research program were to investigate the nature of psychological resilience within a junior sport context, and to explore appropriate measures or methodological approaches by which to achieve this. To achieve these, eight research objectives are presented. To address these objectives, five research investigations were proposed: Study 1. This study aimed to explore the psychometric qualities of the original 25-item CD-RISC (Connor & Davidson, 2003) amongst a sample of junior athletes. Three hundred and forty seven athletes (M age=15.42, SD=1.72) completed the original CD-RISC questionnaire. Participants represented a range of individual and team sports. Internal consistency and factor structure were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory factor analyses (EFA). CFAs did not support the original 5-factor or unitary factor structure of the 25-item CD-RISC, but did support a unidimensional shortened 10-item measure (Cambell-Sills & Stein, 2007). Subsequently, an EFA and CFA also supported a valid and reliable 2-factor sport specific version of the CD-RISC, which was favoured based on stronger conceptual and theoretical support. This study supports the contention that resilience is not consistent across all populations and context specific measures may be required e.g., sport specific. The emergent 2-factor measurement model suggests an underlying structure of resilience in sport that represents an individual's control through adversity and growth mindset. Study 2. The aim of this study was to explore the nature of resilience within junior sport, with a specific focus on sport type, gender and age differences, and the association between resilience and sensation seeking characteristics. Participants completed the modified version of the CD-RISC, which emerged in the previous study and the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS; Hoyle at al., 2002), which measures dispositional risk taking behaviours. The results suggested that male and team athletes have significantly higher resilience scores than their female and individual sport counterparts. In general, protective factors associated with resilience positively relate to sensation seeking characteristics. Specifically, feelings relating to ‘control through adversity' more broadly relate to tendencies leading to greater risk exposure. These findings may suggest that those with a greater perception of control take more calculated risks and set goals that are more challenging. This may offer the opportunity to increase personal mastery through developed interpersonal relations, emotional expression, problem solving skills and coping resources. Nevertheless, our understanding of resilience seems limited by the capacity of a psychometric questionnaire to encapsulate such a complex construct. Study 3. This study aimed to provide a review of the literature concerning resilience in athletes, with a specific focus on identifying the differing methodological approaches to examine the nature of the construct in sport. Fourteen research articles that attempted to directly measure psychological resilience with an athlete sample were identified using both quantitative (n=8) and qualitative (n=6) approaches. Quantitative research has increased conceptual understanding of resilience in sport, relating to its positive associations with similar constructs (e.g., mental toughness), and its moderation qualities. This approach permits statistical analyses to track development, however is unlikely to offer sufficient depth to understanding given the complexities surrounding both the construct of psychological resilience and the nature of an elite sporting environment. Qualitative studies have helped to develop theoretical understanding of psychological resilience amongst athletes through adopting phenomenological methodologies, however, the application of knowledge relies on user generalisability alone and does not offer an objective measure of the construct. The review proposes an exploration of novel methodological approaches that consider the positive elements of both qualitative and quantitative research, but does not consolidate their pitfalls. Study 4. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel tool to measure psychological resilience using a Q-method approach. Specifically, this study aimed to construct a Q-set, by identifying the subjective viewpoints of junior rugby league players, associated with how they would respond to stress or adversity and their perceptions of the resilience process. Twenty-nine junior rugby league players (aged 13-14) were recruited to take part in one of two focus groups designed to generate statements relating to responses to adversity. Thirty statements emerged following inductive thematic analysis, and were retained for the Q-set. There are commonalities between these statements and characteristics of theoretical models and previous research concerning psychological resilience in sport. Study 5. The purpose of this study was to use the Q-set developed in the previous study to explore the nature of psychological resilience in the context of junior Rugby League, using a novel Q-sort method. Sixty junior rugby league players (aged 13-14) completed a standard Q-sort protocol, ranking the previously developed 30-item Q-set using a fixed quasi normal distribution, with anchors of +5 (most like me) to -5 (least like me). PQ Method statistical analysis software was used to analyse the data. Principle component analysis with varimax rotation identified four distinct subgroups that explained 72% of the total variance. These groups were distinguished through patterns relating to: social support, emotional control, unpleasant emotions, personal resources, and cognitive strategies. Shared qualities across the four subgroups were also identified, and included low ratings for evasion strategies, and seeking support, whilst generally high ratings for perseverance. The results from this study showed that junior rugby league players display a range of psychological responses when experiencing adversity and four subgroups with both defining and shared characteristics emerged. This study provides preliminary evidence for the potential usefulness of a Q-method approach for understanding the process of resilience in junior sport. Q-methodology provides an alternative to previous research designs attempting to understand the nature of resilience, and offers an engaging activity to participants, encouraging analytical reflections of their experiences. In summary, the data collected within the current research program has presented an original contribution to knowledge concerning the nature of psychological resilience in junior sport. / The thesis has delivered the first study of its kind, by employing Q-methodology to understand psychological resilience, revealing previously untapped complexities associated with the construct. This approach offers future researchers and practitioners the depth of insight and level of objectivity associated with qualitative and quantitative measures respectively, and recommends this as a viable alternative to psychometric measures of resilience.

Increasing rates of overweight, obesity, and related cardiovascular diseases among older adults in the United States present unique public health challenges. Cross-cultural research has shown marked variation in health across the world’s elder populations because aging is a biological process rooted in sociocultural context. The sociocultural environment contributes to complex negotiations of food and physical activity patterns for older adults. It is well established in the literature that urban residents report low levels of physical activity and have easy access to fast food outlets, which tend to be concentrated in lower-income neighborhoods. I utilize a biocultural framework, integrating nutritional anthropology with healthy aging perspectives to recognize the role of the social determinants of health throughout the lifespan. This anthropological study integrates qualitative and quantitative methods to answer the following research question: What is the relationship between the sociocultural factors that shape diet, physical activity, and nutritional status among Alaskan elders in Anchorage? The results indicate that diet and physical activity practices in this sample do not meet national recommendations and that diet differs adversely from national reference samples. Statistical analyses indicate that the media and friends positively influenced older adults to increase their energy expenditure. Family influences increased fruit consumption, while participation in cultural and social events increased intake of fats and sweets. Cultural identity was an important factor for Alaska Native participants’ dietary selections. Social supports increased access to healthy foods and safe physical activities. This research suggests that trying to reach older adults with diverse needs through a variety of channels, including the media, social networks, and social events, can help alleviate some of the barriers to healthy diet and exercise patterns. These data indicate a need for culturally-responsive programs that maintain relationships with family members and make connections between elders with similar healthy aging goals in order to improve diet and physical activity practices.

Minimal empirical research using longitudinal data to explore integrative models of eating disorder development exists. The purpose of this study was to further explore multidimensional models incorporating parental attachment, history of stress, appraisal/coping processes, internalization of the thin-ideal, negative affect, body image, and eating disordered behavior using prospective, longitudinal data. The models were evaluated using 238 participants who completed an initial series of self-report questionnaires during their first semester in college and completed follow-up questionnaires 6 months and 18 months later. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships among the factors. Analyses confirmed that college freshman with insecure parental attachment relationships and those with a history of previous stressful experiences appraised the adjustment to college as more stressful and reported feeling less able to cope with the transition; these conditions predicted increased negative affect and increased eating disturbances. Women who reported experiencing negative affect and those that endorsed internalization of the thin-ideal also reported higher levels of body dissatisfaction; these women engaged in more disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. A second model investigating negative affect as mediating the relationship between the appraisal/coping process and eating disturbances also revealed that experiencing difficulties with the transition to college predicted later negative mood states. Further, women who reported increased negative affect also reported increased eating disturbances. Finally, cross-lagged and simultaneous effects between selected factors were evaluated. Results from these analyses are mixed, but they provide additional information about the predictive relationships among factors that play a role in the development of eating disorders. The results of this study provide valuable information about the development of eating disorders that can be used to aid prevention and treatment. Examination of these models in a large independent sample might provide confirmation of these relationships, and investigation of the models during different developmental periods might also provide important information about the development of eating disturbances and those individuals who are most at risk.

Thèse de doctorat présenté en vue de l'obtention du doctorat en psychologie - recherche intervention, option psychologie clinique (Ph.D) / L’adolescence est une étape importante du développement individuel lors de laquelle l’image corporelle subit des transformations impressionnantes. Chez les garçons adolescents, les difficultés liées à l’image corporelle seraient répandues et associées à plusieurs autres problématiques biopsychosociales. Néanmoins, la majorité des études réalisées à ce jour portent sur les filles. Les quelques études menées auprès de garçons omettent fréquemment la dimension musculaire de l’image corporelle, pourtant centrale chez cette population. Les recherches réalisées auprès des garçons adolescents se sont principalement appuyées sur le modèle socioculturel comme cadre théorique. Bien que plusieurs études aient permis de valider le rôle de certains facteurs socioculturels au cœur de ce modèle, peu d’entre elles se sont attardées aux facteurs individuels. Or, appuyés par de nombreuses études menées auprès de femmes, plusieurs auteurs attribuent un rôle central à certaines caractéristiques individuelles, telles que le perfectionnisme, l’estime de soi et la régulation émotionnelle, dans le développement des difficultés liées à l’image corporelle. Certains chercheurs suggèrent que les facteurs socioculturels et individuels interagissent dans l’émergence de difficultés liées à l’image corporelle. Sur la base de ces considérations, cette thèse visait à approfondir les connaissances entourant les relations entre certains facteurs socioculturels et individuels et les difficultés liées à l’image corporelle chez les garçons adolescents. Afin de répondre à cet objectif, deux études présentées sous forme d’articles ont été réalisées auprès d’un échantillon de 423 garçons âgés de 12 à 17 ans (M. = 14.7) provenant de quatre écoles secondaires de la région métropolitaine de Montréal. La première étude visait à examiner la relation entre les pressions socioculturelles perçues liées à l’apparence, le perfectionnisme, l’estime de soi et certaines difficultés liées à l’image corporelle auprès de garçons adolescents. Elle visait aussi à explorer l’association indirecte entre ces caractéristiques individuelles et les difficultés liées à l’image corporelle par le biais des pressions socioculturelles perçues. Les difficultés liées à l’image corporelle étudiées étaient l’insatisfaction de l’image corporelle (IIC), ainsi que les attitudes et les comportements inappropriés (ACI) liés à la restriction alimentaire, à la boulimie et à la musculation. Les garçons adolescents ont rempli plusieurs questionnaires autorapportés afin d’évaluer ces difficultés liées à l’image corporelle, ainsi que les pressions socioculturelles perçues, le perfectionnisme et l’estime de soi. Les résultats suggéraient que les pressions socioculturelles perçues et le perfectionnisme, tant orienté vers soi que socialement prescrit, étaient significativement et positivement corrélés à l’IIC, ainsi qu’aux ACI liés à la restriction alimentaire, à la boulimie et à la musculation. En revanche, l’estime de soi était seulement significativement et négativement corrélée à l’IIC et aux ACI liés à la boulimie. Les résultats montraient enfin que le perfectionnisme socialement prescrit était indirectement associé à l’IIC et aux ACI liés à la restriction alimentaire, à la boulimie et à la musculation, à travers les pressions socioculturelles perçues. La seconde étude visait dans un premier temps à examiner la relation entre l’internalisation des standards socioculturels de beauté, les difficultés de régulation émotionnelle et les difficultés liées à l’image corporelle (c.-à-d. l’IIC et les ACI liés à la restriction alimentaire, à la boulimie et à la musculation) chez un groupe de garçons adolescents. Un deuxième objectif était d’investiguer le rôle modérateur de l’internalisation des standards socioculturels de beauté dans l’association entre les difficultés de régulation émotionnelle et les difficultés liées à l’image corporelle. En plus des questionnaires précédents, les garçons adolescents ont complété des questionnaires autorapportés portant sur l’internalisation de standards socioculturels de beauté et les difficultés de régulation émotionnelle. Les résultats soutenaient que l’internalisation des standards socioculturels de beauté et les difficultés de régulation émotionnelle étaient significativement et négativement corrélées à l’ensemble des difficultés liées à l’image corporelle évaluées. Les résultats montraient que la relation entre la non-acceptation de ses émotions, l’accès limité à des stratégies de régulation émotionnelle et l’IIC était plus forte chez les garçons adolescents rapportant une internalisation plus forte de standards socioculturels de minceur. Similairement, à un degré plus élevé d’internalisation des standards socioculturels de musculature, la relation entre la non-acceptation de ses émotions, l’accès limité à des stratégies de régulation émotionnelle, l’impulsivité émotionnelle les ACI liés à la boulimie était plus forte. Les résultats de la présente thèse appuient l’importance de s’attarder aux caractéristiques individuelles et leur intrication aux facteurs socioculturels dans l’étude des difficultés liées à l’image corporelle chez les garçons adolescents. Ces résultats vont dans le même sens que ceux obtenus dans plusieurs autres études et ils appuient certains programmes de prévention qui mettent l’emphase sur les caractéristiques socioculturelles et individuelles. Des recherches futures devront reproduire ces résultats et incorporer d’autres difficultés liées à l’image corporelle (p.ex. surveillance excessive de son apparence, l’évitement de son apparence). / Adolescence is an important stage in the human development throughout which body image undergoes extensive transformations. Body image concerns are widespread and associated with numerous biopsychosocial issues in adolescent boys. Yet, most studies until now have focused on adolescent girls. Several studies conducted among adolescent boys have omitted the muscular dimension of body image, which is central in male youth. Research conducted among adolescent boys on the topic of body image concerns has relied primarily on the sociocultural framework as their theoretical basis. Although studies have validated the role of sociocultural factors at the forefront of this model, studies focusing on individual factors are scarce. However, substantiated by the literature on women, several authors have attributed an important role to individual characteristics, such as perfectionism, self-esteem, and emotion regulation, in the development of body image difficulties. Furthermore, some researchers have argued that sociocultural and individual factors interact to promote body image concerns. Hence, this thesis aimed to increase our knowledge toward the associations between sociocultural and individual factors and body image concerns among adolescent boys. To pursue this objective, two studies presented in the form of articles were conducted in a sample of 423 boys aged from 12 to 17 years old (M. = 14.7). Participants were recruited in four high schools in Montreal metropolitan area. The first study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived sociocultural pressures related to appearance, perfectionism, self-esteem, and body image concerns in adolescent boys. This study further aimed to explore the indirect association between these individual factors and body image concerns, through perceived sociocultural pressures. The studied body image concerns were body dissatisfaction, restrained eating, bulimic tendencies, and muscle-building strategies. Participants completed several self-reported questionnaires in order to measure their level of body image concerns, perceived sociocultural pressures, perfectionism, and self-esteem. Results suggested that perceived sociocultural pressures, self-oriented perfectionism, and socially prescribed perfectionism were positively and significantly correlated with all these body image concerns. Self-esteem was inversely and only significantly correlated with body dissatisfaction and bulimic tendencies. Results showed that socially prescribed perfectionism was indirectly associated with body dissatisfaction, restrained eating, bulimic tendencies, and muscle-building strategies through perceived sociocultural pressures. The second study sought to investigate the relationship between the internalization of the sociocultural body ideal, difficulties in emotion regulation, and body image concerns (i.e. body dissatisfaction, restrained eating, bulimic tendencies, and muscle-building strategies) in a group of adolescent boys. A second objective was to investigate the interaction between the internalization of the sociocultural body ideal and difficulties in emotion regulation in the cross-sectional prediction of body image concerns. In addition the questionnaires described above, adolescent boys filled out self-reported inventories to assess their level of internalization of the sociocultural body ideal and difficulties in emotion regulation. Results supported that the internalization of the sociocultural body ideal and difficulties in emotion regulation were positively and significantly correlated with all these body image concerns. Results also showed that the association between non-acceptance of one’s emotion, lack of emotion regulation strategies, and body dissatisfaction was stronger in adolescent boys reporting a greater internalization of sociocultural norms of thinness. Likewise, at higher levels of internalization of sociocultural norms of muscularity, the relationship between non-acceptance of one’s emotion, lack of emotion regulation strategies, emotional impulsivity, and bulimic tendencies was stronger. The results from our thesis support the relevance of focusing on individual characteristics and their interaction with sociocultural factors in the study of body image concerns among adolescent boys. Furthermore, these results converge with those obtained in other studies and support several prevention programs focusing on sociocultural and individual factors. Further research should replicate those findings and incorporate other body image concerns, such as body surveillance and appearance avoidance.