Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Attitudes Towards Anorexia Nervosa: Volitional Stigma Differences In A Sample Of Pre-Clinical Medicine And Psychology Students, Amy Bannatyne, Peta Stapleton

Peta B. Stapleton

Background:

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a highly stigmatised condition, with treatment often involving multidisciplinary care. As such, understanding and comparing the attitudes of emerging mental health and medical professionals towards AN, within the content of sex-based differences, is pertinent to facilitate the development of targeted stigma interventions.

Aims:

Examine the volitional stigmatisation of AN in emerging medical and mental health professionals.

Method:

Participants (N = 126) were medical (n = 41) and psychology students (n = 85) who completed a range of attitudinal outcome measures (e.g. Causal Attributions Scale, Eating Disorder Stigma Scale, Opinions Scale, Characteristics Scale and Affective Reaction …

Anxiety, Stress, And Self-Esteem Across Genders In A University Sample: Exploring The Role Of Body Avoidance, Richelle Murphy, Peta Stapleton

Peta B. Stapleton

The present study aimed to investigate whether university students’ body avoidance behaviors could be predicted by their level of self-esteem, anxiety, and stress, as well as their BMI and gender. University students (n = 86) completed a self-report package and results indicated that anxiety was the most important predictor of body avoidance for university students. Gender was also predictive of avoidance for university students. Post Hoc analyses indicated that body avoidance, anxiety, stress, and BMI, were higher for female university students, yet no difference was found for self-esteem between genders. These results suggest preliminary evidence for the importance of elevated …

What Is More Likely To Predict Prejudicial Attitudes Towards Overweight Individuals: Gender, Locus Of Control, Or Social Dominance Orientation?, Joanna Kelly, Peta Stapleton

Peta B. Stapleton

As obesity has become an important healthcare issue, more research has revealed a pervasive bias against overweight individuals. Individuals are often perceived to be in control of their own weight, and therefore, if one is overweight they are considered lazy, lacking in self-control, and non-compliant (Rukavina & Li, 2011; Stapleton, 2013). Although obesity rates are rising across countries, there has been no reduction in the negative attitudes and prejudices expressed towards the overweight (Stapleton, 2013). This study was conducted to assess the effects that Health Locus of Control (HLOC), Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) (Pratto, Sidanius, Stallworth & Malle, 1994), and …

Use Of Complementary Therapies By Registered Psychologists: An International Study, Peta Stapleton, Hannah Chatwin, Emma Boucher, Sue Crebbin, Sandra Scott, Dean Smith, Gail Purkis

Peta B. Stapleton

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a category of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. However, the use of CAM by lay people is increasing worldwide. This study investigated the utilization pattern of CAM among registered psychologists, and level of training in delivering a CAM service. Psychologists (N = 193) participated from Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. Almost all (99.6%) respondents reported using at least 1 CAM service in the past, and 64.2% indicate they were trained to deliver at least 1 area …

Dysfunctional Eating In An Australian Community Sample: The Role Of Emotion Regulation, Impulsivity, And Reward And Punishment Sensitivity, Peta Stapleton, Melissa Whitehead

Peta B. Stapleton

This study aimed to examine the role of emotion regulation and reinforcement sensitivity in dysfunctional eating behaviours. Two hundred twenty-eight adults from the Australian community completed self-report inventories assessing the variables. Dysfunctional restrained eaters differed from those who did not engage in restrained eating in terms of their emotion regulation, impulsivity, and sensitivity to reward. Difficulties in emotion regulation, low impulsivity, and sensitivity to reward predicted engagement in restrained eating. Emotional eaters significantly differed from those who did not engage in dysfunctional levels of emotional eating in terms of their emotion regulation, impulsivity, and sensitivity towards reward, and difficulties in …

Educating Medical Students About Anorexia Nervosa: A Potential Method For Reducing The Volitional Stigma Associated With The Disorder, Amy Bannatyne, Peta Stapleton

Peta B. Stapleton

It is frequently reported that clinicians across a range of professional disciplines experience strong negative reactions toward patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). The present study aimed to develop, evaluate, and compare the effectiveness of two different educational programs, based on an etiological framing model. Participants were medical students (N = 41) from an Australian University, who were randomly assigned to one of three conditions (biogenetic intervention vs. multifactorial intervention vs. control). Outcome attitudinal/stigma data were collected preand post-intervention, and at 8 weeks follow-up. Results indicated intervention participations exhibited significantly lower volitional stigma scores compared to the control group, who exhibited …

Body Dissatisfaction And Surveillance, Exercise Frequency, Depression And Self-Esteem In A University Population, Peta Stapleton, Natalie Dzodz

Peta B. Stapleton

The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between body dissatisfaction and body surveillance, exercise frequency, depression and self-esteem in 121 university students from various Australian tertiary institutions aged between 17 to 45 years old population. This study also aimed to observe gender differences in the experience of body dissatisfaction. Inconsistent with previous research and the present hypothesis, no significant relationship was found between body dissatisfaction and exercise frequency or body surveillance. However, a significant relationship was found between body dissatisfaction and depression, as well as with self-esteem. Gender was also found to significantly predict body dissatisfaction, …

Exploring The Links Between Culture, Locus Of Control And Self-Compassion And Their Roles In The Formation Of Weight Stigmatization, Peta Stapleton, Teeya Yamaoka

Peta B. Stapleton

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between culture, Locus of Control and self-compassion in conceptualising weigh stigmatization. Participants included a culturally diverse sample (N= 136) who completed measures online including: the Attitude towards Obese Persons Scale (ATOP), Beliefs about Obese Persons Scale (BAOP), Anti-Fat Attitudes Scale (AFA), Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC-Form B), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), Individualism/Collectivism Scale (IND/COL) and the Marlowe Crown Social Desirability Scale (MCSD Short-Form). Self-compassion was a significant negative predictor of weight stigmatization and had a potential to reduce weight bias. Collectivism was a significant negative predictor of weight stigmatization, …

Depression Symptoms Improve After Successful Weight Loss With Emotional Freedom Techniques, Peta Stapleton, Dawson Church, Terri Sheldon, Brett Porter, Cassandra Carlopio

Peta B. Stapleton

Participants crossed over to the EFT group upon completion of wait period. Degree of food craving, perceived power of food, restraint capabilities, and psychological symptoms were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment and at 12-month follow-up for combined EFT groups. Significant improvements in weight, body mass index, food cravings, subjective power of food, craving restraint and psychological coping for EFT participants from pretreatment to 12-month follow-up (𝑃 < 0.05) were reported. The current paper isolates the depression symptom levels of participants, as well as levels of eight other psychological conditions. Significant decreases from pre- to posttreatment were found for depression, interpersonal sensitivity, obsessive-compulsivity, …

Long-Term Weight Loss, Peta Stapleton

Peta B. Stapleton

There is little doubt as to the adverse physical effects of being overweight or obese. Obesity increases cardiovascular disease risk factors, Type 2 Diabetes, and overall mortality. Current approaches to addressing this epidemic have included combined dietary and physical activity approaches and of late, behavioral strategies to influence the weight loss process such as motivation strategies. However, it appears the more time that elapses between the end of a diet and the follow-up period, the more weight is regained. While studies have examined factors that contribute to longer term weight maintenance, they still continue to highlight aspects relating to individual …

Clinical Benefits Of Emotional Freedom Techniques On Food Cravings At 12-Months Follow-Up: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Peta Stapleton, Teri Sheldon, Brett Porter

Peta B. Stapleton

This randomized, single-blind, crossover trial tested whether participants who used Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) maintained reduced food cravings after 12-months and updates previously reported 6 month findings. Ninety-six overweight/obese adults were allocated to a 4-week EFT treatment or wait list condition. Degree of food craving, perceived power of food, restraint capabilities, and psychological symptoms were assessed pre- and post-test and at 12-month follow-up for collapsed groups. Significant improvements occurred in weight, body mass index, food cravings, subjective power of food, craving restraint, and psychological coping for EFT participants from pre-test to 12 months (p < .05). It appears EFT can result in participants maintaining reduced cravings over time and affect weight and BMI in overweight and obese individuals.

The Interplay Between Depression, Anxiety, Interpersonal Problems And Self-Weighing On The Overall Eating Styles Of University Students, Peta Stapleton, Sheree Empson

Peta B. Stapleton

The world is facing an epidemic of obesity. As a result, it is vital that the contributing factors of this issue are identified and addressed. The aim of this study was to investigate the interplay between overall eating style scores in University students with depression, anxiety, interpersonal problems and self-weighing. The present study consisted of 170 participants (73% female). The results indicated that when social desirability, gender and race were controlled for, depression, interpersonal problems, and self-weighing significantly negatively contributed to overall eating style scores. When self-weighing and interpersonal problems were accounted for, anxiety was found to not significantly predict …

Clinical Benefits Of Emotional Freedom Techniques On Food Cravings At 12-Months Follow-Up: A Randomised Controlled Trial, Peta Stapleton, Terri Sheldon, Brett Porter

Peta B. Stapleton

This randomised, single-blind, crossover trial tested whether Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) maintained reduced food cravings in participants after 12-months, and updates previously reported 6-month findings. Ninety-six overweight/obese adults were allocated to a four-week EFT treatment or waitlist condition. Degree of food craving, perceived power of food, restraint capabilities and psychological symptoms were assessed at pre-, post- and 12-month follow-up for collapsed groups. Significant improvements occurred in weight, body mass index, food cravings, subjective power of food, craving restraint and psychological coping for EFT participants from pre- to 12-months (p<0.05). It appears EFT can result in maintaining reduced cravings over time and impact upon weight and BMI in overweight and obese individuals.

Helping Kids Cope With Change, Peta Stapleton, Terri Sheldon

Peta B. Stapleton

No abstract provided.

Promoting And Providing Expert Guidance In Work-Intensive Clinical Settings, Amanda Henderson, Heather Alexander, Alison Haywood, Peta Stapleton, Marie Cooke, Elizabeth Patterson, Megan Dalton, Debra Creedy

Peta B. Stapleton

This paper discusses how expert guidance can be best provided in work intensive clinical settings. The adequacy for supporting learning in the clinical practicum for health care disciplines is often complicated by the intensive work practices in healthcare settings. Often, clinicians' work is so intense that the scope for providing close guidance for students is quite restricted. The case advanced here draws on a range of empirical work to propose how clinician-student interactions might be optimized through the provision of a clinical supervisor to assist clinicians develop collegial relationships and acquire skills in guided learning such as demonstrating and role-modeling. …

Creating Supportive Clinical Learning Environments: An Intervention Study, Amanda Henderson, Michelle Twentyman, Emma Eaton, Debra Creedy, Peta Stapleton, Belinda Lloyd

Peta B. Stapleton

Aim. To assess the impact of an intervention aimed to build capacity of registered nurses to enhance the clinical learning environment for undergraduate nursing students. Workplace learning is vital for the development of skills, attributes and knowledge of student nurses. Registered nurses need to be appropriately prepared to maximise student learning during clinical placement.

Background. The quality of student learning during clinical practicum is largely dependent on interactions with ward staff.

Design. A quasi-experimental design.

Method. Measurement of students’ perceptions of the psycho social learning environment during and outside of the intervention period was used to evaluate the capacity building …

Taming Toddlers, Peta Stapleton, Terri Sheldon

Peta B. Stapleton

No abstract provided.

Taming Toddlers, Peta Stapleton, Terri Sheldon

Peta B. Stapleton

No abstract provided.

Languages Of Love, Peta Stapleton, Terri Sheldon

Peta B. Stapleton

No abstract provided.

Boosting Morale And Improving Performance In The Nursing Setting, Peta Stapleton, Amanda Henderson, Debra Creedy, Marie Cooke, Elizabeth Patterson, Heather Alexander, Alison Haywood, Megan Dalton

Peta B. Stapleton

Aim and background: While the importance of morale is well researched in the nursing literature, strategies and interventions are not so prolific. The complexities of interpersonal relationships within the clinical domain, and the critical issues faced by nurses on a daily basis, indicate that morale, job satisfaction and motivation are essential components in improving workplace efficiency, output and communication amongst staff. Drawing on educational, organizational and psychological literature, this paper argues that the ability to inspire morale in staff is a fundamental indicator of sound leadership and managerial characteristics.

Evaluation and key issues: Four practical concepts that could be implemented …

Mummy Do I Look Fat In This?, Peta Stapleton, Terri Sheldon

Peta B. Stapleton

No abstract provided.

What Women Want, Peta Stapleton, Terri Sheldon

Peta B. Stapleton

No abstract provided.

What Is Body Image, Peta Stapleton, Terri Sheldon

Peta B. Stapleton

No abstract provided.