Unga vuxna tenderar att spendera mer tid på sociala medier än på någon annan daglig aktivitet, där det populäraste sättet att kommunicera är genom att dela bilder. Samtidigt har intresset för hälsa och fitness hos allmänheten ökat de senaste åren. Tidigare studier påvisar att ett ständigt fokus på hälsa och fitness kan leda till låg självkänsla och missnöje över sin kropp. Majotiteten av de tidigare studierna har fokuserat på de negativa hälsoutfallen med sociala medier och påverkan på människors hälsa. Syftet med studien var att ur en neutral synvinkel, beskriva unga kvinnors upplevelser samt påverkan av sociala mediers exponering av kost och träning. En kvalitativ metod tillämpades med två fokusgrupper där deltagarna rekryterades via ett strategiskt urval med kriterierna: kvinna, mellan 18-30 år samt använder sig av minst två sociala medier. Vid analys av data tillämpades en manifest innehållsanalys med induktiv ansats. Resultatet visar att sociala medier används mellan sex till tio timmar om dagen och de vanligaste sociala medierna är Facebook och Instagram. Det framkom både positiva och negativa hälsoutfall med exponeringen, som motivation och inspiration samt upplevd press och ångest, men trots de negativa effekterna upplevde respondenterna exponeringen som övervägande positiv. / Young adults tend to spend more time on social media than on any other daily activity, where the most popular way to communicate is by sharing pictures. At the same time, interest in health and fitness among the public has increased in recent years. Previous studies indicate that a constant focus on health and fitness can lead to low self-esteem and dissatisfaction with one´s body.  The majority of the previous studies have focused on the negative aspects of social media and the impact on people's health. The aim of the study was to describe young women´s experiences, and the impact of social media exposure of diet and exercise, from a neutral point of view. A qualitative method was applied with two focus groups where participants were recruited through a purposive sample with the criteria: woman between 18-30 years and the use of at least two social media. A manifest content analysis with an inductive approach was applied in the analysis of the data. The result shows that social media is used between six and ten hours a day and the most common social medias are Facebook and Instagram. Both positive and negative aspects of exposure were revealed, such as motivation and inspiration, and perceived pressure and anxiety, but despite the negative effects, respondents experienced exposure predominantly positive.

No description available.

The aim of this study was to describe young women's experiences of midwives/ gynaecologists treatment in connection to gynaecological examination. A further aim was to achieve a better understanding of the factors that can form the basis of the experience of treatment. A qualitative study was performed in which the participants (N=10) was Swedish-speaking women aged 18-25 years, with experience of at least one gynaecological examination. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, using an interview guide. The material was analyzed according to Graneheim and Lundman´s (2004) method for qualitative content analysis. The results were presented based on the two overarching themes that were found; The importance of a confirmatory communication and A respectful and empathic approach. The twelve underlying categories represented the factors that gave rise to the experience of treatment. Under the theme The importance of a confirmatory communication, the following categories were placed: Continuous dialogue, Information, Choice of words and comments, Tone of voice, Confirmation and Non-verbal communication. The theme A respectful and empathic approach contained the following categories: Respectful, No set of values, Empathic, Responsive/conformed, Inviting and Easy-going approach. Conclusion: Women's experiences of treatment in connection to gynaecological examination were in general described in positive terms, but with some negative elements. The results of this study indicate a need for an individualized treatment which most likely should be characterized by the attitudes mentioned above. / Studiens syfte var att beskriva unga kvinnors upplevelser av barnmorskors/gynekologers bemötande i samband med gynekologisk undersökning. Vidare var syftet att uppnå en ökad kunskap för de faktorer som kan ligga till grund för upplevelsen av bemötandet. Studien var av kvalitativ ansats där deltagarna (N=10) var svensktalande kvinnor i åldrarna 18-25 år, med erfarenhet av minst en gynekologisk undersökning. Den kvalitativa forskningsintervjun användes som datainsamlingsmetod, där semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med hjälp av en intervjuguide. Materialet analyserades kvalitativt enligt Graneheim och Lundmans (2004) metod för innehållsanalys. Resultatet presenterades utifrån två funna övergripande teman; Betydelsen av en bekräftande kommunikation och Ett respektfullt och empatiskt förhållningssätt. De sammanlagt tolv underliggande kategorierna representerade de faktorer som låg till grund för upplevelsen av bemötandet. Under temat Betydelsen av en bekräftande kommunikation placerades följande kategorier: Kontinuerlig dialog, Information, Ordval och kommentarer, Tonfall, Bekräftelse samt Icke verbal kommunikation. Tema Ett respektfullt och empatiskt förhållningssätt utgjordes av kategorierna Respektfullt, Värderingsfritt, Empatiskt, Lyhört/anpassat, Inbjudande samt Lättsamt förhållningssätt. Slutsats: Kvinnornas upplevelser av bemötande i samband med gynekologisk undersökning beskrevs i övervägande positiva ordalag, dock med vissa negativa inslag. Studiens resultat indikerar ett behov av ett individanpassat bemötande vilket lämpligen karaktäriseras av ovan nämnda förhållningssätt.

Bakgrund: Stressrelaterade symtomen har ökat i samhället och framförallt bland yngre kvinnor. Grundstenarna i distriktssköterskans arbete är att främja hälsa och förebygga sjukdom. Ett preventivt arbetssätt har visats ha god effekt på stress. Syftet: Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur distriktssköterskan skattar förekomsten av unga kvinnor som söker med stressrelaterade symtom, samt synliggöra distriktssköterskans preventiva arbete. Metod: Studien utfördes som en kvantitativ enkätundersökning. 52 distriktssköterskor som arbetade på 12 vårdcentraler i Halmstad inkluderades i studien. Dataanalysen genomfördes med deskriptiv och analytisk statistik. Resultat: 90,0% av distriktssköterskorna mötte 1-4 unga kvinnor per vecka med oro och ångest. 80,6% mötte 1-4 kvinnor med trötthet och sömnproblem. Patienterna hänvisades främst till läkare, därefter kurator och psykolog. Endast två av de 32 deltagande skulle hänvisa kvinnorna till en distriktssköterska. Konklusion: Majoriteten av distriktssköterskorna mötte flera unga kvinnor med stressrelaterade symtom varje vecka. De preventiva åtgärderna skiljdes åt beroende på symtom. I studien framkommer distriktssköterskornas önskemål om riktlinjer och utbildning i ämnet unga kvinnor och stress, vilket kan leda till möjligheter att utveckla preventionsarbetet i primärvården. / Background: Stress-related symptoms have increased in the community, especially among young women. The basics in the district nurse’s profession are to promote health and prevent sickness. Preventive strategies have shown good effects on stress. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine how the district nurse estimates the occurrence of young women contacting them because of stress-related symptoms, and to visible the district nurse’s preventive work. Method: The study was conducted as a quantitative survey. 52 district nurses who worked in 12 medical-centers in Halmstad were included in the study. Data was analyzed with descriptive and analytic statistics. Results: 90,0% of the district nurses met 1-4 young women/week with anxiety. 80,6% met 1-4 young women/week with tiredness or sleeping disorder. The patients were primarily referred to physicians, counselors or psychologists. Only two of the 32 participating would refer women to a district nurse.Conclusion: The majority of the district nurse’s met many young women with stress-related symptoms every week. The preventive work differed depending on the symptoms. The study shows the district nurses requests of guidelines and education on young women and stress, which could contribute to possibilities to advance the work with prevention in medical-centers.

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the relationship that love and romance have to young women’s experiences of and decisions to engage in heterosexual intercourse for the first time. Inspired by Sharon Thompson’s (1995) book Going All The Way, I wanted to listen to young women’s stories about love, romance and sex in order to better understand their first sexual experiences. I have interviewed six women based on their age (18-23), on whether their first experiences with sex were both heterosexual and consensual, and on whether their decisions to have ‘sex’ for the first time were influenced by a romantic relationship. I analyse the interview transcripts, contextualizing them within the relevant literature, and explore the ways popular culture and media might have influenced the girls in my study. I am concerned with intercourse because I want to gain a better understanding of young women’s experiences with it and to recognize what love and sex might mean to them. I was surprised to find that, even with third wave feminist ‘empowerment’ discourse and hyper-sexualized media and popular culture, the six women I spoke with felt that sex is about an expression of love and a “deeper connection of intimacy” (Krissy) rather than about empowerment or the fun of ‘doing it’. Even though I required that participants needed to have been influenced by a romantic relationship in their decisions to have intercourse for the first time, it was interesting to see the extent that they valued love in their relationships when love was not part of the criteria required to participate. The findings from this study will be useful to sex educators, including myself, who work with young women as well as to parents who might be able to worry less about their daughters, knowing that some girls are looking for love and commitment when they engage in intercourse, not simply casual sex or hook-ups. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2011-06-15 12:45:08.093

This study examined the influence of activated and chronic interpersonal expectations on primary and secondary appraisal of a stressful life event. Fifty-one female undergraduates were asked to imagine themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy, after which affective state and coping strategies were assessed. A subliminal priming technique was used during the experimental session to activate either positive, negative or neutral interpersonal expectations. Chronic interpersonal expectations were assessed in a telephone interview, using the Collins and Read (1990) attachment scale. Activated negative interpersonal expectations reduced positive affect; chronic interpersonal anxiety heightened overall negative affect, while chronic comfort with closeness and feeling one can depend on others were associated with less feelings of depression. Both activated and chronically accessible positive interpersonal expectations increased intentions to seek emotional support. Chronic anxiety in relationships was related to hostile coping, while a lack of comfort with closeness and depending on others were conducive to self-blaming. Implications of these findings for close relationships and stressful life events and for future priming research are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of oral contraceptives (OC) on bone health in active women during early adulthood. Thirty-eight women between the ages of 18 and 35 years participated in this study. Participants were placed into two groups: 1) those who had taken OCs (Ortho Tri-Cyclen for a minimum of two years (n=22) and 2) those who had never taken OCs (n=16). The two groups were matched based on age, nutritional habits, percent body fat, and activity level. Participants completed a health history questionnaire, food frequency questionnaire, and received a full body scan via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). An independent t-test revealed no significant difference (p < 0.05) between the bone mineral density of the women taking OCs (1.188 g/cm2 ± 0.09) and those women who never consumed OCs (1.207 g/cm2 ± 0.09). The effect of taking OCs in a young healthy population of women appears to have no osteogenic influence on bone health. / School of Physical Education

This study investigated the relationships between young women's attitudes and exposure to violence, objectification of women, and sex-role stereotypes. The research analyzed whether or not viewing sexual content or violence in music videos affected young women's current moods or changed attitudes about sexual beliefs. Music videos were selected from cable television networks and music Web sites. Sixty-six undergraduate women at a Midwest university were exposed to six music videos with violent, sexual, or neutral content. Pretests and post-tests were used to assess any change of mood or attitude after viewing music videos. Results showed no significant change in sexual beliefs for any of the three groups. The group viewing neutral videos demonstrated a significant change in mood prior to viewing the music videos between the groups. The data suggested the method of selection of participants, use of pretests and post-tests, effects of music, and desensitization to violence and sexual content may have played a role in the outcomes of the study. / Department of Journalism

The aim of this research was to investigate myogenic (i.e. growth) and proteolytic (i.e. breakdown) gene expression (GE) in skeletal muscle of young and old women. Myogenic (MyoD, MRF4, Myf5, myogenin, myostatin) and proteolytic (Atrogin-1, MuRF-1, FOXO3A) genes were examined in the basal state and after resistance exercise (RE). Six old women (OW: 85 ± 1 y) and eight young women (YW: 23 ± 1) performed 3 x 10 knee extensions at 70% of 1-repetition-maximum. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis (i.e. thigh) before and 4 hours after RE.In the basal state, OW expressed higher levels (p<0.05) of MyoD, MRF4, myf5, myogenin, myostatin, FOXO3A and MuRF-1 compared to YW. Fiber type specific GE analysis in the OW showed that slow-twitch muscle fibers (MHC I) expressed higher levels (p<0.05) of myogenin and Atrogin-1, compared to fast-twitch (MHC Ila) fibers. In response to RE both YW and OW increased (p<0.05) mRNA levels of MyoD and MRF4, while a decrease (p<0.05) was observed for myostatin. MuRF-1 mRNA increased (p<0.05) in both age groups, while there was an age-specific induction (p<0.05) of Atrogin-1 after RE. Fiber type specific GE after RE in the old women showed that MHC Ila fibers did not induce myogenic GE. Robust increases (p<0.05) in MyoD, MRF4, and myogenin were only observed in the MHC I fibers. Both fiber types decreased (p<0.05) myostatin, and increased Atrogin-1 with RE. MuRF-1 mRNA levels increased specifically in MHC Ila fibers. In summary, skeletal muscle of OW expresses higher levels of mRNA for most selected genes at rest. With RE, aging skeletal muscle retains the ability to induce myogenic GE, although exclusive to MHC I fibers. After RE, proteolytic GE induction is greater in OW and most pronounced in MHC Ila fibers. Collectively, these data suggest that an imbalance exists in the regulation of the myogenic and proteolytic program in aging skeletal muscle. This research also provides the first evidence of intrinsic molecular differences between MHC I and MHC Ila fibers in OW, and may, in part, explain the MHC Ila atrophy apparent in sarcopenic muscle. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

High-risk alcohol consumption in combination with unprotected sexual activity can have deleterious results for the individual, their family and their larger community. In this investigation, a secondary analysis was performed on the female data of Wave 3 of the Healthy Youth Survey to determine rates of female drinking and unprotected sex and to create a predictive model of high-risk drinking behaviour. Three dependent variables were examined: heavy drinking, weekly binge drinking and having a CAGE score of 2 or more, and Jessor and Jessor's (1977) Problem Behaviour Theory is drawn on in the interpretation of results. Age, the influence of negative peers, physical victimization, and the presence of an addiction-prone personality were found to be predictive of engaging in heavy drinking and weekly binge drinking; the influence of negative peers was found to be predictive in having a CAGE score of 2 or more. A difference in contraceptive use was only found for the young women engaging in weekly binge drinking. The results of this study highlight the importance of how different drinking styles can impact the likelihood of engaging in high-risk sex.