Previous research suggests a link between identity status (i.e., identity exploration and identity commitment) and body image, evaluation (e.g., body satisfaction) and investment (e.g., the psychological importance one places on one's appearance). The identity statuses include diffused (neither exploration, nor commitment), foreclosed (commitment without exploration), moratorium (exploration, but no commitment), and achieved (exploration and commitment to an identity). While research demonstrates that an association exists between body image, specifically weight preoccupation, and identity development, variations in the adjustment within the identity statuses suggest that other factors may affect this relationship. One such factor is identity distress. The intended purpose of this study is to replicate the findings of Herzog (1997) who found that women in the identity statuses which have not yet committed to an identity (diffused and moratorium) had a significantly higher degree of weight preoccupation than those in the identity statuses who had made identity commitments. The present study also sought to explore whether this same relationship holds for men. It was further hypothesized that women would have less satisfaction with their bodies than men would. A sample of 53 college students with a mean age of26.45 years (S.D. = 7.36 years) completed questionnaires pertaining to identity status, identity distress, and body image. A one-way analysis of variance showed a significant difference between identity status groups on overweight preoccupation with the most preoccupied being those in the moratorium identity status, followed by achievement, diffused, and then foreclosed. However, Scheffe Post Hoc analyses indicated that the only significant difference between groups was between moratoriums and foreclosed (the two extremes). Likewise, males had a significantly higher evaluation of their appearance than women did, confirming the second hypothesis. When looking at the subscales of identity exploration and identity commitment, commitment positively correlated with appearance orientation. Exploration positively correlated with fitness orientation. The average identity distress rating positively correlated to overweight preoccupation, and negatively correlated to appearance evaluation and body areas satisfaction. In regards to a DSM-IV diagnosis for identity problem, 18.9% of the sample qualified. Scores for those who met for identity problem diagnosis were significantly lower in health orientation and body areas satisfaction. The main hypothesis of this paper was that identity variables would be a significant predictor of body image. To test this hypothesis, several multiple regression analyses were calculated with the demographic variables of sex and age entered in the first step, identity status entered in the second step, and average identity distress rating entered on the third step, with each of the body image subscale scores as the dependent variable. Results indicated that the overall model was significant for appearance evaluation, fitness orientation, body areas satisfaction, and overweight preoccupation. Implications of these findings are discussed.

The attrition rate among special education teachers is ranked among the highest in the education profession. Retaining teachers early in their careers continues to be a concern due to increased job responsibilities, larger caseloads, challenging student behaviors, minimal support from colleagues, increased paperwork, and diminishing resources. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the meaning of satisfaction special education teachers made of their careers. The transactional model developed by Lazarus and Folkman (1984) can help to explain how the occurrence of stressful events can impact an individual. A purposive sample of 9 tenured, certified special education teachers currently working in the field for at least 10 years were interviewed using individual, in-person, semistructured questions. Emergent themes and patterns were identified following the 6-step data analysis process for interpretive phenomenological analysis. The findings revealed two superordinate themes (a) effective practices and (b) making a difference. The participants in the study described strategies to minimize stress that included exercising, having quiet times, making time for leisure activities, being able to vent to coworkers, laughing and using humor, and spending time with pets. All of the participants in the study indicated a sense of commitment to the field of special education and their students. Participants articulated the importance of student success and acting as a helper for students to achieve their goals. The data from this study may be used to highlight career sustaining behaviors and job satisfaction from veteran teachers contributing to the longevity for teachers in the special education profession and improving retention rates of teachers early in their careers.

Magistro darbo teorinėje dalyje analizuojama komunikacinio proceso koncepcija, išskiriama reklamos kaip komunikacinės priemonės koncepcija, jo turinys, pagrindiniai principai, tikslai ir funkcijos, akcentuojamas reklamos poveikio pasireiškimas, atskleidžiamas komunikacinio proceso reklamoje ryšys su vartotojų poreikių tenkinimu. Remiantis mokslinės literatūros studija (analize ir sinteze) teoriškai modeliuojamas komunikacinis procesas reklamoje tenkinant vartotojo poreikius. Empiriniam tyrimui atlikti parengiamas klausimynas remiantis teorine literatūros šaltinių analize. Patvirtinama autorės suformuluota mokslinio tyrimo hipotezė, kad komunikacinio proceso reklamoje modeliavimas bus atskleistas, jei bus įvertintas šio proceso ryšys su vartotojų poreikių tenkinimu akcentuojant reklamos vertinimo kriterijus. / In the theoretical part of the Master‘s work the concept of communication process is analyzed, the concept of advertizing as a means of communication is highlighted. Furthermore, contents, main principles, aims and functions of advertizing are highlighted as well and revelation of advertizing impact is stressed in this paper. Also, the correlation between communication process in advertizing and consumer satisfaction is revealed. On the basis of the data of the theoretical research (that is analysis and synthesis) communication process in advertizing is modeled in the aspect of consumer satisfaction. In order to complete the empirical research the questionnaire is prepared on the basis of the theoretical material and model. The results of the empirical research fully prove the scientific hypothesis that modeling of communication process of advertizing will be revealed if the correlation between this process and consumer satisfaction is evaluated on the basis of advertizing assessment criteria.

Η Εργασιακή Ικανοποίηση αποτελεί τον συνδετικό κρίκο ανάμεσα στις θεωρίες των κινήτρων και την εφαρμογή τους στον εργασιακό χώρο και αποτελεί την πιο μελετημένη μεταβλητή στο εργασιακό γίγνεσθαι. Συνοπτικά η επαγγελματική ικανοποίηση μπορεί να περιγραφεί ως ένα σύνολο στάσεων που οι εργαζόμενοι έχουν απέναντι στη δουλειά τους, ή ως μια ψυχολογική προδιάθεση που περιλαμβάνει πολλές επιμέρους στάσεις και συναισθήματα για διάφορες όψεις της εργασίας (Schultz, 1982). Σκοπός της διατριβής είναι η εκτίμηση του βαθμού ικανοποίησης των επαγγελματιών υγείας από την εργασία τους και η ανάδειξη των παραγόντων εκείνων που την επηρεάζουν. Το δείγμα αποτελείται από 572 εργαζομένους των δημόσιων νοσοκομείων της Περιφέρειας Πελοποννήσου όλων των κατηγοριών ιατροί, νοσηλευτές, καθώς και διοικητικό, τεχνικό, βοηθητικό και παραϊατρικό προσωπικό. Τα δεδομένα συλλέχθηκαν με τη μέθοδο του δομημένου ερωτηματολογίου για την περίοδο 2006. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι η ηλικία και το επίπεδο εκπαίδευσης είναι οι πρωταρχικοί παράγοντες οι οποίοι επηρεάζουν την υποκειμενική αντίληψη για την ικανοποίηση των επαγγελματιών υγείας από την εργασία τους. Επιπλέον, περισσότερο συνολικά ικανοποιημένοι είναι οι άνδρες, οι εργαζόμενοι υποχρεωτικής εκπαίδευσης και το βοηθητικό προσωπικό. Μικρότερη ικανοποίηση φαίνεται να βιώνουν οι γυναίκες, οι κάτοχοι μεταπτυχιακού τίτλου και το διοικητικό και νοσηλευτικό προσωπικό. Τα θέματα τα οποία αναδεικνύονται ως μείζονος σημασίας στη διαμόρφωση του επιπέδου ικανοποίησης από την εργασία είναι (α) η αντίληψη των εργαζομένων για τον οργανισμό και τη θέση απασχόλησής του, (β) η αίσθηση επαγγελματικής επάρκειας και προσφοράς αποτελεσματικού έργου και (γ) η έλλειψη επιβράβευσης της Διοίκησης στις περιπτώσεις αποτελεσματικής απόδοσης. / --