With few Asian American women executives, little is known of how they reach to the top leadership roles. The purpose of this study was to explore how Asian American women learned and unlearned to overcome barriers and additional activities they engaged in to achieve career upward mobility at large corporations. The study sought to answer three main questions: (a) how do Asian American women describe the challenges they face in advancing their careers; (b) how do they describe how they learn to overcome the challenges they face; (c) what other activities do they engage in to advance their careers. To achieve this purpose, the researchers employed a qualitative, embedded single-case approach drawing upon the career experiences of 26 Asian American women from financial and technology industries at Fortune 500 companies with three data collection methods: (a) a demographic inventory survey and an assessment of perceived bicultural self-efficacy, (b) semi-structured interviews, and (c) focus group. Three key findings emerged: (a) a majority of participants experienced perceptual, organizational and personal barriers in advancing their careers, with nuances in how they experienced them based on career stages, industries, and the immigration process; (b) through critical reflections, a majority of participants unlearned certain Asian cultural values or gender expectations and mastered the experiences and career mobility actions that helped them overcome barriers. They also exercised self-efficacy and received external validation to reinforce their learnings that contributed to career advancements; and (c) all participants enlisted efforts from professional and personal networks to advance their careers, while a majority found organizational activities helpful in their leadership development and career progression. The principal recommendations of this study have implications for Asian American women who are interested in pursuing executive roles, human resources professionals and leaders who are committed to improve organizational diversity and inclusion practices, and adult learning researchers who would like to expand the theory building of transformative unlearning.

The present study investigated hypothesized links between subjects' perceptions of their own physical appearance and other aspects of psychosocial functioning (e.g., general anxiety, social acceptance, athletic competence, and global self-worth) as rated by self, peers, and counselors. In addition, the study attempted to isolate the age at which young females first experience a decline in perceptions of their own physical appearance. To investigate these relationships, 554 females (ages 7-18) attending a summer camp completed the Self-Perception Profile for Children (Harter, 1985) or the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (Harter, 1988), a sociometric friendship rating scale, and the Revised Manifest Children's Anxiety Scale (Reynolds and Richmond, 1978). In addition, camp counselors completed the Teacher's Behavior Rating Scale (Harter, 1985, 1988) for each subject. Results indicated that 45% of the variance in the subjects' ratings of their own physical appearance was accounted for by age, ratings of global self-worth, anxiety, social acceptance as rated by the subjects, and athletic competence as rated by the counselors. The first significant decrease in body image occurred between the ages of 12 and 13. Although there are several limitations with respect to cross-sectional designs, it may still be useful to conceptualize the possible psychosocial changes that occur during adolescence within a developmental-contextual model. This study does not purport to demonstrate bidirectional interactions and does not allow for a definitive interpretation of the results with respect to developmental patterns; however, the developmental-contextual model is suggested as a possible framework for understanding the development of body image, and is in need of further comprehensive investigation. In addition to past research, this study may contribute to speculation about when intervention programs may be useful in order to prevent the development of related psychological disorders. / Master of Science

This thesis focuses on patriarchy and machismo and the long lasting political, economic, and social effects that their practice has had on women in the United States and Latin America. It examines the role of the Catholic Church, political influences, social, cultural, economic and legal issues, historic issues (such as the Industrial Revolution), the importance of the family's preference for sons rather than daughters, and the differences in the raising of male and female children for their adult roles.

Although women increasingly contribute their labour to an ever-burgeoning workplace, little is understood about their roles and sense of identity at work. Adopting a phenomenological approach to this study will allow the researcher to discover what women’s experience of their sense of identity at work encompasses. Furthermore, a review of the contemporary literature, and a phenomenological approach to the study employing semi-structured interviews and an explication of the protocols using the ‘modified’ Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method (Creswell, 1998), may be used to explore women’s experience of their sense of identity in the workplace. Recommendations may be made for future research and organisational practice. The main findings indicated, inter alia, that the participants expressed their sense of identity at work from a ‘collective’ or social identity orientation. This finding also supports various feminist researchers’ viewpoints that women may develop a unique sense of identity relative to the environment in which they find themselves (Ely, 1994; Hakim, 1996). Themes that arose from the interviews with the participants included the concerns women express universally to a greater extent, yet included their interests, abilities, traits and material characteristics to a lesser extent (Ashforth & Mael, 1989; Hogg & Turner, 1987). The study findings also questioned psychology-based “person-centred” ideas about women’s relationships with other women at work, and added credence to the supposition that the demographic composition of an organisation may influence an individual’s experiences at work (Ely, 1994, p. 203). Furthermore, as social v identities are more significant in organisations, due to the incidence of social groups (Fisher, 1986; Mortimer & Simmons, 1978; Van Maanen, 1976), it would appear that as fewer women are employed in management and the upper echelons of organisations, they would therefore not benefit from being involved in the social environment of work, and would therefore not be in a position to adopt the identity of their counterparts (Becker & Carper, 1956). The contribution of this research to understanding women’s experience of their sense of identity, and the provision of a basic framework in this regard, may assist female employees, and their employers and managers, in their relationships at work, and in this way improve the employment prospects and retention of women. / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

In the existing literature, the constructs of "madness" and "woman' have long been associated with one another. This association has led to attempts by various authors, and also this current work, to deconstruct the constructs of madness and gender. The association between the constructs of "madness" and gender is seen in terms of metaphor. The relationship between the constructs of madness" and "woman" are described in terms of the manner in which meanings of metaphors of duality are collapsed onto one another. The approach to this discussion typifies the current shift in the human sciences from a belief in objective bias-neutral research to a new kind of self -conscious and sophisticated reality. I placed myself in this discussion as a researcher and a therapist, influenced by feminist, contextual and social constructionist ideas. The structure of this discussion was employed to reflect the theoretical perspectives mentioned above.therapist, influenced by feminist, contextual and social constructionist ideas. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

This purpose of this study was to combine two bodies of literature on relationships, attachment and violence. Given the impact of men's physical aggression and emotional abuse on women, it is likely that these behaviors would also affect attachment. A model proposing that women's attachment style mediated and moderated the relationship between partners' physical and emotional abuse and the stability of women's relationships was tested. Archival data were used from two waves of interviews with a sample of lowincome, ethnically diverse community women. Most (89%) of the initial 835 participants of Project HOW: Health Outcomes of Women completed at least one additional interview providing information on the status of their initial relationships. Of these women, 39% were African American, 30% were Euro-American, and 31% were Mexican American. The effects of men's psychological abuse and physical violence on women's attachment style were tested with regression analyses. The interrelationships between partners' abuse, attachment and relational stability were tested with SEM. Attachment style was expected to moderate the associations among variables and mediate the impact of partners' negative behavior on relational stability. In regression analyses, partners' psychological abuse predicted avoidant and anxious, but not secure attachment ratings. Violence, although significant, explained less variance than psychological abuse for insecure attachment ratings. SEM indicated Physical Aggression was not a significant predictor of Attachment Rating in any group. Moderation was not found. There were no differences between attachment groups. Therefore, attachment was tested in the sample as a mediator. As in analyses for each group, the path from Physical Aggression to Attachment Rating was not significant. In the final model, Emotional Abuse predicted Physical Aggression and Attachment Rating mediated the effect of Emotional Abuse on Relational Stability. Specifically, Emotional Abuse increased (insecure) Attachment Rating, which decreased Relational Stability. Overall, previous research in the violence literature was extended by showing that emotional abuse affected attachment, rather than the reverse.

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of parental divorce and family conflict during adolescence on young adult females' social support and psychological adjustment. The three areas explored were perceptions of relationship satisfaction and closeness, sources and amount of social support and adjustment. One hundred and forty-one female undergraduates, 53% from families in which their parents are still married and 47% from families in which a parental divorce occurred during adolescence, completed the following measures: the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Spanier, 1976), the Social Provisions Scale-Source Specific (Cutrona, 1989), the Inventory of Common Problems (Hoffman & Weiss, 1986), the Family Environment Scale (Moos & Moos, 1981), and the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (Furman & Buhrmester, 1985).

Women in distressed relationships who had sustained severe psychological abuse and either no, moderate, or severe violence from their partner were included (N = 93). Men's and women's alcohol use did not differ with level of violence. Different patterns were found in the moderate violence group regarding women's beliefs about their partner's substance problem, men's psychological abuse, and the relationship of men's and women's quantity of alcohol use and times intoxicated. Uncertainty resulting from moderate violence may strengthen the emotional impact of psychological abuse. Even when psychological abuse is exacerbated by violence, women may use active coping techniques rather than drinking to cope with abusive relationships. The findings suggest that an inordinate focus on alcohol abuse may be ineffective in combating the problem of domestic violence.

Avaliar a Qualidade de Vida (QV) de pacientes com Transtornos Alimentares (TA), verificar diferenças entre os subtipos de TA e identificar dimensões de QV mais prejudicadas. Métodos: O instrumento de QV da Organização Mundial de Saúde (WHOQOL-100) foi respondido por 69 mulheres com TA (Anorexia Nervosa AN=34; Bulimia Nervosa BN=26 e Transtorno Alimentar Não Especificado TANE=9) e por 69 mulheres saudáveis. Utilizou-se a Entrevista Clínica Estruturada para Transtornos do Eixo I do DSM-IV (SCID) para a realização dos diagnósticos psiquiátricos. Resultados: Pacientes com TA apresentaram piores escores na QV geral e em todos os domínios (físico, psicológico, relações sociais, meio ambiente, nível de independência e espiritualidade), tendo sido o psicológico aquele com maior prejuízo. Não foram encontradas diferenças entre os subtipos de TA quanto aos prejuízos de QV. As comorbidades psiquiátricas encontradas com maiores prevalências foram os Transtornos do Humor, os Relacionados ao Uso de Álcool e Outras Substâncias e os de Ansiedade. Pacientes com AN e comorbidade com o Transtorno de Pânico apresentaram QV mais prejudicada que pacientes com AN sem Pânico. A maioria dos pacientes apresentava múltiplas comorbidades e histórico de diversas tentativas de suicídio. Conclusões: Pacientes com TA apresentam significativo prejuízo de QV em todos os domínios, em especial no psicológico, provavelmente em função das peculiaridades da psicopatologia alimentar, sem diferenças entre os subtipos de TA. Pacientes com AN e comorbidade com Pânico devem ser avaliados com mais critério / Purpose: To assess quality of life in patients with eating disorders, verify differences among eating disorder subtypes, and identify the domains of quality of life most affected by eating disorders. Methods: The World Health Organization quality-of-life assessment instrument (WHOQOL-100) was completed by 69 women with eating disorders (34 with anorexia nervosa, 26 with bulimia nervosa, and 9 with eating disorder not otherwise specified) and 69 healthy women. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) was used for the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders. Results: Patients with eating disorders reported lower (worse) total quality- of-life scores and lower scores on all quality-of-life domains (physical, psychological, social relationships, environment, level of independence, and spirituality) compared with healthy patients, with the psychological domain being the most impaired. No significant differences in impairment of quality of life were found among eating disorders subtypes. The most prevalent psychiatric comorbidities were mood disorders, alcohol or substance abuse- related disorders, and anxiety disorders. Patients with anorexia nervosa and comorbid panic disorder had greater impairment in quality of life than patients with anorexia nervosa but no panic disorder. Most patients had multiple comorbidities and history of suicide attempts. Conclusions: Patients with eating disorders experience significantly greater impairment in quality of life on all domains, especially on the psychological domain, compared with healthy patients, probably because of peculiarities in eating disorders psychopathology. No difference in quality of life impairment was observed among eating disorders subtypes. Patients with anorexia nervosa and comorbid panic disorder should be carefully evaluated

Introdução: Constante na história da civilização, o abortamento tem sido tema relevante na saúde pública, trazendo repercussões físicas e emocionais à mulher. Este trabalho abordou aspectos históricos e culturais que delinearam o percurso feminino e a maternidade, contemplou a magnitude do abortamento e aspectos emocionais, em especial, a depressão. Teve como objetivos, analisar características sociodemográficas, a percepção das mulheres quanto às reações e condutas do parceiro e o diagnóstico de depressão, em duas capitais brasileiras, associando as variáveis entre os grupos de abortamento espontâneo e provocado de cada capital. Buscou, em cada grupo, relacionar a depressão com as variáveis estudadas. Método: Foram realizadas entrevistas semidirigidas, com questionário previamente elaborado com 285 mulheres que sofreram abortamento espontâneo (139 em Natal-RN e 146 em São Paulo-SP) e 31 mulheres que referiram tê-lo provocado (11 em Natal-RN e 20 em São Paulo-SP). Para o diagnóstico de depressão, utilizou-se o módulo de humor do Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (Prime-MD). Os dados foram analisados pela Técnica de Análise Temática, posteriormente foi utilizado o programa IBM SPSS Statistics Standard Edition. O nível de significância utilizado foi p<0,05. Resultados: Encontrou-se significância estatística relacionada ao abortamento provocado, em Natal-RN e São Paulo-SP, nas variáveis: ser solteira (p<0,01; p<0,01) e ter menor número de gestações (p<0,01; p=0,04) e de abortamentos espontâneos anteriores (p<0,01; p<0,01). Em Natal-RN evidenciou-se ainda, mulheres com trabalho (p=0,03), renda financeira (p<0,01) e que residiam com familiar (p<0,01) e, em São Paulo-SP, ter provocado abortamento anterior (p=0,01) e residir com amigos (p<0,01). Quanto à percepção das mulheres em relação às reações e condutas do parceiro, em ambas as capitais, ele foi referido como a pessoa que não poderia saber do abortamento (p<0,01 em Natal-RN; p=0,02 em São Paulo-SP), ao mesmo tempo, como aquele que poderia tê-lo evitado (p<0,01 em Natal-RN; p=0,03 em São Paulo-SP). A ausência do parceiro no momento da confirmação da gestação (p=0,02) foi relevante em Natal-RN, e em São Paulo-SP, ele ter apresentado reações negativas frente à notícia da gravidez (p=0,04) e não ter participado no processo do abortamento (p<0,01). Constatou-se elevado índice de depressão em ambas capitais e grupos. Sua presença, no abortamento provocado, não esteve associada às variáveis estudadas, enquanto no espontâneo, relacionou-se, em Natal-RN, a reações negativas do parceiro ao saber da gravidez (p=0,05) e sua ausência no processo do abortamento (p<0,01) e, em São Paulo-SP, ao desconhecimento dele sobre a gestação (p=0,04). Conclusão: Apesar dos avanços sociais, seguem enraizados na identidade feminina princípios culturais e sociais que diante da situação de abortamento, ainda hoje, despertam na mulher conflitos e ambivalências. Mesmo com a independência feminina, a participação masculina mostra-se importante dentro do processo do abortamento, seja pelo suporte ou mesmo, pelo compartilhamento da responsabilidade / Introduction: Constant in the history of civilization, abortion has been a relevant issue in public health, having physical and emotional repercussions for women. This study addressed the historical and cultural aspects outlining the female pathway and maternity and dealt with the magnitude of abortion and emotional aspects, especially depression. Its purpose was to analyze sociodemographic characteristics, women\'s perception as regards the partner\'s reactions and behavior, and depression diagnosis in two Brazilian capitals, associating the variables from the spontaneous abortion group and the induced abortion group. Within each group, the objective was to relate the variables to depression. Method: In two Brazilian capitals, semistructured, questionnaire-based interviews were conducted with 285 women who underwent spontaneous abortion (139 in Natal-RN and 146 in São Paulo-SP) and 31 who reported having induced the abortion (11 in Natal-RN and 20 in São Paulo-SP). For diagnosing depression, the mood module from the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) was applied. The data were analyzed by the thematic analysis technique, and, subsequently, the IBM SPSS Statistics Standard Edition program was used. The significance level was set at p<0.05. Results: Induced abortion was statistically significant with respect to the following variables: in both Natal-RN and São Paulo-SP, being single ((p<0.01, p<0.01), a smaller number of previous pregnancies (p<0.01, p=0.04), and fewer previous spontaneous abortions (p<0.01, p<0.01); in Natal-RN alone, having a job (p=0.03), having a money income (p<0.01), and living with a family member (p<0.01); in São Paulo-SP only, induction of a previous abortion (p<0.01) and residence with friends (p<0.01). Concerning the perception the women had of their partners\' reactions and behavior, in both capitals, the partner was referred to as the one person who could not know about the abortion (p<0.01 in Natal-RN, p=0.02 in São Paulo-SP) and, simultaneously, as the one who could have avoided it (p<0.01 in Natal- RN, p=0.03 in São Paulo-SP). The partner\'s absence at the time of the pregnancy confirmation (p=0.02) was relevant in Natal- RN, and the partner\'s negative reaction when learning about the pregnancy (p=0.04) and his not participating in the abortion process (p<0.01) was relevant in São Paulo- SP. A high depression rate was found in both groups and in both capitals. Its presence in the induced abortion group was not associated with the study variables, while, in the spontaneous abortion group in Natal-RN, it was linked to the partner\'s negative reaction as he learned about the pregnancy (p=0.05) and to his absence during the abortion process (p<0.01), and in São Paulo-SP, to his not knowing about the pregnancy (p=0.04). Conclusion: Despite social advances, the cultural and social principles rooted in the female identity to this day still engender conflicts and ambivalent feelings in women when confronted with the situation of abortion. Notwithstanding women\'s independence, male participation has shown to be important in the abortion process, be it for support or for sharing the responsability