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Full-Text Articles in Psychology

Examining Characteristics Of Resilience Among University Students: An International Study, Peta Stapleton, Aileen Pidgeon, Natasha Rowe, Heidi Magyar, Barbara Lo Dec 2013

Examining Characteristics Of Resilience Among University Students: An International Study, Peta Stapleton, Aileen Pidgeon, Natasha Rowe, Heidi Magyar, Barbara Lo

Peta B. Stapleton

Attending university is a particularly stressful time due to unique emergent stressors such as changes in environment, loss or diminishment of social support networks, academic pressures, developing peer relationships, and financial management. There is growing recognition that these common stressors may have deleterious effects on the mental health of students. Resilience, a personality characteristic that moderates the negative effects of stress and promotes adaptation, has been associated with increased psychological well-being. Despite a growing body of research on resilience and its clinical significance in preventing mental health problems, relatively little is known about contributing factors for resilience in well-adjusted university …


Body Image Avoidance, Body Dissatisfaction And Eating Pathology: Is There A Difference Between Male Gym And Non-Gym Users?, Peta Stapleton, Amy Bannatyne, Timothy Mcintyre Dec 2013

Body Image Avoidance, Body Dissatisfaction And Eating Pathology: Is There A Difference Between Male Gym And Non-Gym Users?, Peta Stapleton, Amy Bannatyne, Timothy Mcintyre

Peta B. Stapleton

With research highlighting the increasing prevalence and severity of body image and eating disturbances in males, particularly athletes and regular gymnasium users, the current study examined body image and eating disturbances in a sample of male gym users and non-gym users (N = 180). Based on previous research, it was predicted that male gym users would report greater body image disturbance (e.g., body image avoidance and body dissatisfaction) and eating pathology, compared with non-gym users. Results of the study partially supported hypotheses, revealing body dissatisfaction and eating pathology were significantly increased in male gym users. However, no significant differences were …


The Effectiveness Of Educational Interventions In Reducing Negative Attitudes And Stigmatisation Toward Patients With Anorexia Nervosa., Peta Stapleton, Amy Bannatyne Dec 2013

The Effectiveness Of Educational Interventions In Reducing Negative Attitudes And Stigmatisation Toward Patients With Anorexia Nervosa., Peta Stapleton, Amy Bannatyne

Peta B. Stapleton

It is frequently reported that clinicians across a range of professional disciplines experience strong negative reactions toward patients with eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa (AN). As research consistently demonstrates fear of stigma is the most frequently cited reason explaining why individuals with mental illness do not seek treatment, the current study aimed to develop, evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two differing educational interventions, based on an etiological framing model, against a wait-list control. Participants were fourth-year medicine students randomly assigned to one of three conditions. A three-hour educational workshop was delivered to participants at the beginning of an eight-week …


Dysfunctional Eating In An Australian Community Sample: The Role Of Emotional Regulation. Impulsivity And Reward And Punishment Sensitivity, Peta Stapleton, Melissa Whitehead Dec 2013

Dysfunctional Eating In An Australian Community Sample: The Role Of Emotional 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 …


Psychological Determinants Of Emotional Eating: The Role Of Attachment, Psychopathological Symptom Distress, Love Attitudes, And Perceived Hunger., Peta Stapleton, Eleanor Mackay Dec 2013

Psychological Determinants Of Emotional Eating: The Role Of Attachment, Psychopathological Symptom Distress, Love Attitudes, And Perceived Hunger., Peta Stapleton, Eleanor Mackay

Peta B. Stapleton

The present study aimed to investigate the psychological determinants of emotional eating in a national and international sample of healthy weight, overweight and obese adults (N = 226). Specifically, attachment styles, psychopathological symptom distress and love attitudes were explored for their ability to predict emotional eating. Findings supported the suggestion symptom distress may particularly predispose individuals to engaging in emotionally motivated overeating, with a large effect size observed. Preoccupied attachment was also a significant predictor of emotion eating, even after controlling for state-based inferences. However, there were no significant contributions of secure, fearful-avoidant, or dismissive-avoidant attachment style in the prediction …


Psychosocial Moderators Of Perceived Stress, Anxiety And Depression In University Students: An International Study, Peta Stapleton, Aileen Pidgeon, Stephanie Mcgrath, Heidi Magyar, Barbara Lo Dec 2013

Psychosocial Moderators Of Perceived Stress, Anxiety And Depression In University Students: An International Study, Peta Stapleton, Aileen Pidgeon, Stephanie Mcgrath, Heidi Magyar, Barbara Lo

Peta B. Stapleton

Extensive research shows university students experience high levels of stress, which can lead to the development of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Preliminary evidence supports the role of psychosocial factors such as perceived social support (PSS) and campus connectedness (CC) as protective factors in the development of mental health problems in university students. However, research conducted on the potential ameliorating effects of social support on stress applying Cohen and Wills’ (1985) stress-buffering hypothesis produced weak, inconsistent, and even contradictory results. In addition, little attention has been given to examining the protective role of CC in the relationships …


Long-Term Weight Loss, Peta Stapleton Dec 2013

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 …