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An Examination Of Psychological Variables Influencing Perceptions Of The Self Among A Sample Of Female Exercise Initiates, Lisa Cooke

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The general purpose of this dissertation was to explore the relationship among and within cognitive variables associated with exercise initiation and maintenance in a sample of female exercise initiates.

Manuscript 1 was structured to explore the changes to exercise identity among a population of female exercise initiates (N = 78) grouped into an imagery or control condition. Previous research has found that a strong exercise identity is associated with more frequent exercise (Strachan et al., 2009) and increases over time as a person continues to exercise (Cardinal & Cardinal, 1997). Participants were assessed multiple times (weeks 0, 5, 9, …

Motivational Interviewing Via Co-Active Life Coaching Intervention For Women Seeking A More Physically Active Lifestyle, Andrea M. Goddard

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this 12-week pre-post design pilot study was to assess the impact of Motivational Interviewing via Co-Active Life Coaching (MI-via-CALC) on exercise-specific self-efficacy, barrier-specific self-efficacy, self-esteem, and 12-week study duration engagement in physical activity (PA) for 25 women between the ages of 30 and 55 years. Participants were assessed quantitatively using the previously validated McAuley Exercise-Specific Self-Efficacy Scale (EXSE), McAuley Barrier-Specific Self-Efficacy Scale (BARSE), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) at pre-, mid-, and post-intervention. Four one-way repeated measures ANOVAs were completed for each scale, and statistically significant differences in barrier-specific self-efficacy were detected …

The Case Of Reintegration Of Women Post Incarceration, Deana Raley Noble Phd

Dissertations

Women released from prison or jail face particular obstacles and challenges on reentry to the community, many of which are related to their childhood and to gender roles as women and mothers. This study relates the lived experience of one woman's successful transition to economic and mainstream societal reintegration and family reconnection after release from prison and the insights gained by the researcher. Case study methodology congruent with Miller's Relational-Cultural Theory philosophical framework was utilized in this in-depth, single case design and represents a unique case. The overall purpose of this descriptive and explanatory research was to explore precursors to …

Knowledge, Practice, And Barriers Toward Cervical Cancer Screening In Elmina, Southern Ghana, Nancy Innocentia Ebu, Sylvia C. Mupepi, Mate Peter Siakwa, Carolyn M. Sampselle

Peer Reviewed Articles

Aims: The aims of this study were: 1) to assess the level of knowledge of women about Pap smear tests, 2) to determine the practices of women regarding Pap smear tests, and 3) to determine the barriers to Pap smear tests in Elmina, Ghana.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 392 randomly selected sexually active females aged 10–74 years using structured interview questions. The Institutional Review Board of the University of Cape Coast gave ethical approval for the study and informed consent was obtained from participants. Data were analyzed with SPSS software (v19.0) using frequencies, chi-square test, and exploratory …

The Nutrient Intake Of Homeless Women Of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Emily D. Popma-Metsaars

Masters Theses

Background Homeless individuals comprise about 1% of the American population with 1/3 of this particular population being women. And despite the potential for hunger, the homeless population has a similar prevalence of overweight/obese as other Americans. The Heartside neighborhood of Grand Rapids is a very low-income area of the city, inhabited by the poor and homeless. The Food Access in Michigan Project is studying the relationship between food insecurity and food environments in Michigan.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of the diet of homeless women in Heartside. This study examined the level of food …

Menopause, Rurality, And Obesity In Rural African American Women, Colleen Kilgore

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the US, one in every eight deaths is due to an obesity-related chronic health condition (ORCHC). More than half of African American women (AAW) 20 years old or older are obese or morbidly obese, as are 63% of menopausal AAW. Many have ORCHC that increase their morbidity and mortality and increase health care costs. In 2013, 42.6 percent of AAs living in South Carolina (SC) were obese. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to identify the cognitive, behavioral, biological, and demographic factors that influence health outcomes (BMI, and ORCHC) of AAW living in rural SC. A sample of …

The Role Of Sleep Timing On Diet Quality And Physical Activity Among College-Aged Women Participating In The University Of Massachusetts Vitamin D Status Study, Deniz Azarmanesh

Masters Theses

Overweight and obesity are risk factors for various chronic diseases. Sleep has been associated with overweight and obesity. One potential mechanism by which sleep may lead to overweight and obesity is through positive energy balance (i.e. energy intake exceeding expenditure). There are few studies examining the impact of sleep timing (onset and wake time) on diet and exercise. In a cross sectional study, we examined associations between sleep timing and diet quality, and in separate models, between sleep timing and meeting the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans among the participants of the UMass Vitamin D Status Study. A total …

Breaking Barriers: The Influence Of Socioeconomic Status On Obesity Among Women In Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, Christina Camoriano

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Obesity in Brazil has grown rapidly within the past decade, however research is conflicting in terms of who carries the burden of this disease- the economic elite or the poor. Despite the lack of clarity towards the current distribution of obesity, many studies have come to the conclusion that in developing countries, obesity is growing more rapidly among those of lower socioeconomic status.¹¹ Therefore, the purpose of my research study is to examine how socioeconomic status influences the dietary and exercise habits of lower and lower-middle income women who are obese. This study is relevant because it seeks to …

Antecedents Of Regular Exercise Among Women Who Do And Do Not Achieve Weight Loss Over Six Months, Heather Vartanian

Dissertations (1934 -)

In the United States, 35.5% of adult women are classified as obese, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of > 30 kg/m2. The health risks associated with obesity can be mitigated through losing even 5-10% of initial body weight. Evidence shows that reductions in caloric intake alone without increases in caloric expenditure leads to a decline in resting metabolic rate, thereby impeding attainment or maintenance of weight loss. The purpose of this cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was to explore the antecedents of regular exercise among women with obesity who did and did not achieve weight loss over six months. The antecedents …

Older Woman Workers: Met And Unmet Needs For Health And Wellbeing In The Workplace, Gillian Gorfine

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Older women workers report experiencing occupational injustices however the literature focuses on barriers faced rather than understanding the needs-based strategies empowering women as they age at work. This study engaged women aged 55 and older in a participatory action research project defining and examining strategies for older women workers’ health and wellbeing. In Phase 1, a key informant advisory group (N = 4) defined the problem and guided the design of an open answer survey conducted with 72 older women in work. Three categories emerged informing the fundamental, instrumental, and contextual needs of older women workers. Meeting fundamental needs may …

Grant Application: Immigrant And Refugee Family Wellness Engagement Through Yoga And Zumba, Elizabeth Crawford, Faith Swenson, Angela Serrani, Kathleen Cassidy, Brittany Roy, Trixie Porter

Immigrant and Refugee Family Wellness Engagement Through Yoga and Zumba

IPEC Mini-grant application for funding of UNE student project Immigrant And Refugee Family Wellness Engagement Through Yoga And Zumba. Students from multiple health professions collaborated to provide Yoga and Zumba classes at the Riverton Community Center. The project aimed to increase the participants’ ability to utilize stress reducing activities through a blend of student created heath education materials and yoga and zumba classes for refugee women and children.

Skin Cancer Risk Perception And Sunscreen Use In Adolescent Female Soccer Athletes, Cheryl L. Butera Phd, Msn, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Np-C, Phn

Dissertations

Over 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States. In adolescent females ages 15-19, melanoma is the second most common form of cancer. The greatest risk factor for skin cancer is ultraviolet rays from the sun. Research has shown that sunscreen use is protective of all skin cancers, especially melanoma. The purpose of this study was to obtain perceptions about risk of skin cancer and sunscreen use among 13- to 18-year-old adolescent female club soccer athletes as a basis for effective interventions to improve sunscreen use in this population. The Health Belief Model was employed …

Coffee And Tea Consumption And The Risk Of Lung Cancer In A Population Of Postmenopausal Women, Abigail Santos

Masters Theses

Lung cancer has been the leading cause of cancer death in women for
the past three decades. Although smoking is the most important risk
factor for lung cancer, not all lung cancer deaths in American women
are attributed to smoking and the role of dietary exposures remain
unclear.In particular, the effect of coffee consumption and tea
consumption on lung cancer risk remains inconclusive. Therefore we
assessed these associations prospectively in 83,777 women between the
ages of 50-79 who did not have a previous history of cancer. Daily
coffee and tea consumption (cups/d) were assessed via a baseline
questionnaire while the …

Preliminary Efficacy Of Group Medical Nutrition Therapy And Motivational Interviewing Among Obese African American Women With Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study, Stephania T. Miller, Veronica J. Oates, Malinda A. Brooks, Ayumi Shintani, Tebeb Gebretsadik, Darlene M. Jenkins

Human Sciences Faculty Research

Objective. To assess the efficacy and acceptability of a group medical nutritional therapy (MNT) intervention, using motivational interviewing (MI). Research Design & Method. African American (AA) women with type 2 diabetes (T2D) participated in five, certified diabetes educator/dietitian-facilitated intervention sessions targeting carbohydrate, fat, and fruit/vegetable intake and management. Motivation-based activities centered on exploration of dietary ambivalence and the relationships between diet and personal strengths. Repeated pre- and post-intervention, psychosocial, dietary self-care, and clinical outcomes were collected and analyzed using generalized least squares regression. An acceptability assessment was administered after intervention. Results. Participants (n = 24) were …

Rethinking Social Support In Women's Midlife Years: Women's Experiences Of Social Support In Online Environments, Julie Dare, Lelia Green

Julie Dare Dr

The midlife years (45–55) often coincide with fundamental changes in women’s lives, as women experience transitions such as menopause, changes to family structure due to departure of children or divorce, and parents’ ageing and death. These circumstances tend to increase women’s reliance upon their social support networks. Evidence suggests that social support is critical in helping women manage transitions during the midlife period and develop a sense of self-efficacy; this article highlights that this support is being increasingly exchanged through mediated communication channels. The article presents a comparative investigation of mediated communication channels, primarily email and online chat, through which …

Commodification Of The Female Egg: Stem Cell Technology And The Future, Rachel Rose Ostrander

Rachel Rose Ostrander

As the science of stem cell research progresses it is difficult to tell what implications it will have on our society and for women. I will begin this discussion by examining how science has viewed women in the past, and use this as a basis to conjecture about how they will be viewed and treated in the future. Prevalent gender bias in scientific writing should be a cause for concern as the science of stem cell research and commodification of the female egg becomes more of a reality.

The process of egg donation has stirred much debate in the feminist …

"If She Can Do It, So Can I": An Ethnography Of A Supportive Living Environment For Women In The Criminal Justice System And Their Children, Regina Cardaci

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

There are now more women in prisons and jails than at any time in United States history. A large number of these women will be returning to the community. Women returning to the community after release from prison or jail face numerous challenges to successful reentry, e.g., securing housing and employment. In addition, following separation and care of their children by others, women with children struggle to resume their roles as mother.

This dissertation is an exploration of a program that assists women transitioning from incarceration to the community. This program helps women by helping to develop job skills and …

Happiness And Anxiety As A Function Of Gender And Religiosity, Kara Kaufman

Honors Theses

The current research intended to extend upon previous research on the relationship between happiness and religiosity by looking at the role gender plays in this relationship. It was hypothesized that while there would be a positive correlation between religiosity and happiness in both genders, the correlation would be stronger for women. The study also aimed to test if different aspects of religion mediate this relationship for men and women. It was hypothesized that for women, the aspects of religion that would be most closely related to increased happiness and decreased anxiety would be aspects that allow for a sense of …

Effects Of An Osteoporosis Educational Intervention: Knowledge And Self-Efficacy Of Prevention In Young Adult Collegiate Females, Valerie A. Bollenbacher

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Osteoporosis is a silent and potentially debilitating chronic illness. In 2012, the CDC reported that 4.5 million women over the age of 50 were diagnosed with osteoporosis in the United States. Within the next 20 years, 41 million women worldwide are projected to have osteoporosis. The annual financial burden of osteoporosis is estimated to be 19 billion dollars. The objective of this evidence-based practice project was to answer the clinical question: In young adult collegiate females, how does an osteoporosis educational intervention compared to current education effect osteoporosis knowledge and self-efficacy of osteoporosis prevention over a one-month time period? The …

Screening Asymptomatic Women For Cardiovascular Risk, Kathryn Nelson-Murphy

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has long been recognized as a significant health problem in the U.S., and is the leading cause of preventable death in women, collectively causing about one death per minute (Caboral, 2013). A myriad of modifiable risk factors including dyslipidemia, hypertension, smoking, obesity, and type II diabetes are associated with 80-90% of CVD morbidity and mortality. Despite sobering statistics, valid risk prediction screening tools, and national preventive guidelines, adequate screening in clinical practice settings is sadly deficient. An evidence-based practice project was designed and implemented at a large OB/GYN practice in southern Ohio to address this identified gap …

What Inez Knows: A Qualitative, Longitudinal Case Study Of One Woman's Journey Through The Maze Of Living With Hiv And A Serious Mental Illness, Linda Austin

Theses and Dissertations

WHAT INEZ KNOWS: A QUALITATIVE, LONGITUDINAL CASE STUDY OF ONE WOMAN'S JOURNEY THROUGH THE MAZE OF LIVING WITH HIV AND A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS

by

Linda Austin

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2014

Under the Supervision of Professor Patricia E. Stevens

Although more than thirty years have passed since AIDS was first diagnosed in the U. S., the HIV/AIDS epidemic continues and the prevalence and incidence statistics remain alarming. Twenty-five percent of the people living with HIV in the United States are women, but only half of these women are in care and even fewer women (42%) have viral suppression. Women …

Gestational Weight Gain Patterns, Hope R. Farquharson Phd

Dissertations

Background: Managing gestational weight gain (GWG) remains a global health priority as obesity among women of childbearing age and their children have been linked to excessive GWG. Excessive GWG has been linked to increased rates of cesarean sections, preterm births, hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, large for gestational age newborns, postpartum weight retention, long-term obesity for the woman and her children. Conversely, adverse outcomes resulting from weight gain below recommendation could potentially include preterm births, increased rates of neonatal intensive care admission, and newborn morbidity and mortality. Previous studies indicate the need for healthcare providers to help women gain within the …

Fetal Heart Monitoring, Nursing Surveillance, And Cesarean Birth, María Del Carmen Colombo Phd

Dissertations

Purpose: Birth by cesarean delivery is a major public health issue with nearly one in three births delivered by cesarean section. Cesarean birth may be necessary to save mother or baby, but the rapid rise since 1996 without concomitant reduction in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality may indicate this mode of delivery may be over utilized. Cesarean births pose significant maternal and newborn health risks. Identification of factors that may contribute to reduction in the first cesarean birth in low-risk women who are nulliparous, term gestation, with single fetus in head down position (NTSV) is a health priority. The …

Lived Experiences Of Breast Cancer Survivors After Diagnosis, Treatment And Beyond: Qualitative Study, Faustine Williams, Stephen C. Jeanetta

Faustine Williams

Factors Affecting Health Promotion Lifestyle Behaviors Among Arab American Women, Kholoud Khalil Phd

Dissertations

Guided by Pender and colleagues' (2006) revised health promotion model (HPM), this descriptive correlational study was designed to explore the relationships between personal factors (comprised of sociodemographic factors, degree of acculturation, and perceived stress), perceived health self-efficacy, perceived social support, and health promotion lifestyle behaviors (HPLBs) among a group of Arab American women (AAW) living in Southern California. A second purpose was to explore the psychometric properties of the translated version of the perceived health competence scale (PHCS). A convenience sample of 267 AAW were administered a paper copy of a self-reported survey. Four of the study's five standardized measures …

Sex Differences In Human Fatigability: Mechanisms And Insight To Physiological Responses, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Sex-related differences in physiology and anatomy are responsible for profound differences in neuromuscular performance and fatigability between men and women. Women are usually less fatigable than men for similar intensity isometric fatiguing contractions. This sex difference in fatigability, however, is task specific because different neuromuscular sites will be stressed when the requirements of the task are altered, and the stress on these sites can differ for men and women. Task variables that can alter the sex difference in fatigability include the type, intensity and speed of contraction, the muscle group assessed and the environmental conditions. Physiological mechanisms that are responsible …

Effectiveness Of Wellness And Life Skills Education For Adolescent Females Of Inner-City East St. Louis, Rebecca J. Busler

Honors Program Projects

This off-campus health education internship was conducted at the Christian Activity Center (CAC) in East St. Louis, IL. East St. Louis is a community filled with poverty, violence, poor health, and failing schools. The need for life skills and wellness education is significant. The goal of the internship was to provide practical health-related information to enlighten young women about their own bodies and high-risk behaviors in hopes that they could apply the information and make adjustments or choices to improve their own lives. To meet this objective a proven successful curriculum, Smart Girls Life Skills Training© (Smart Girls), was taught …

Community Health News, Georgia Southern University

Community Health Department News (2011-2018)

• Exercise Self-Efficacy in Pregnant Women

Expanding Women’S Healthcare Access In The United States: The Patchwork “Universalism” Of The Affordable Care Act, Randy Albelda, Diana Salas Coronado

Center for Social Policy Publications

This paper explores the promise of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly called “Obamacare” (referred to here as the ACA), with attention to the ways gender matter by tracing the development and implementation of key US social protection systems, an examination of the current health system with particular attention to women’s coverage, and the potential impacts of the ACA, including how it conforms to international human rights norms for health care. The ACA promises to vastly improve the key dimensions of health coverage in the US, but it conforms with other US social policy by relying on market-based …

Prevention: Sexual Violence Against Adolescent And Young Adult Women, Kimberly K. Mcclanahan, Marlene B. Huff, Hatim A. Omar, Joav Merrick

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.