In Pursuit of Beauty Within the Ageing Body: Voices from Older Korean Women in New Zealand

Researchers have attempted to explore the experience of ageing bodies and the use of beauty and anti ageing practices among older women. However, an insufficient number of such studies have focused on women from diverse ethnic groups, particularly older Asian women. Furthermore, even though some researchers have debated whether beauty practices are a form of oppression, these debates usually obfuscate the unique experiences of older women. These deficiencies result in a scarcity of discussions on anti-ageing practices and health management among older Asian migrant women. This study, using intersectionality as a conceptual lens, explored how older South Korean (Korean, hereafter) women in New Zealand who are located at the intersection of age (ageing) and gender perceived their ageing bodies and engaged in beauty, anti-ageing and health practices within diverse social positions and identities. The method involved conducting semi-structured individual interviews with thirty-one Korean women aged 50 to 84 living in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, and Queenstown. The findings were merged into two major themes: 1) the inevitable and unacceptable ageing body and 2) the tensions between choice and oppression. The first theme elucidates how attitudes towards the ageing body were paradoxical. On the one hand, the ageing body was something my participants understood as part of a natural/irresistible process. On the other hand, they consistently intervened in the natural process of ageing to transform their ageing bodies into more acceptable forms: healthy, functional, and feminine bodies with youthful and attractive appearance. They also adopted diverse lifestyles: active, productive, and successful later lives through health practices, life management, and beauty and anti-ageing practices. The second theme describes how power over their ageing bodies was exercised when they intervened at the intersection of age, gender, and/or race/ethnicity. The findings uncover how the interaction of biological attributes of the ageing body and socio-cultural climates of age and gender influenced my participants’ perceptions of their bodies. Additionally, the findings indicate how their engagements in beauty, anti-ageing, and health practices became complicated as they positioned themselves at the intersection of age/ageing, gender, race/ethnicity, and migration. The significance of this thesis lies in its contribution to illuminating the concept of the biosocial ageing body. Furthermore, it intends to challenge binary perspectives of the body, namely that between nature and culture, and to supply further knowledge to current discussions on whether women’s beauty practices are a form of oppression or choice. Lastly, this thesis discusses the implications of this research and recommendations for future research on the ageing body (ageing) and beauty practices

Narcissistic Vulnerabilities Experienced within the Processes of Change and Development

Ouroboros is a symbolic metaphor depicting the process of individuation as a circular self-contained process (Schwartz-Salant, 1986). The Ouroboros often represents self-reflexivity, or cyclicality, especially when referring to something constantly re-creating itself. The way individuals reflect on themselves and re-create, whether from within or without, have within themselves a partially conscious image of how they want to be seen. Jacoby (1994) refers to this as an ‗ego-ideal‘. Depending on the needs of the ‗ego-ideal‘, we respond to them in narcissistic self-absorbing or narcissistic self actualizing ways. My motivation to use this metaphor of Ouroboros was because it reflects all the struggles and triumphs experienced by the individuals in the client study, critical literature review and research study, illustrating how the different spectrums of narcissism can be understood and utilized. This thesis comprises of sections: A: Preface; B: Client Study; C: Critical Literature Review; D: Research Study. They are set out in the temporal order of completion. I wrote the client study at the beginning of my 3rd year as a trainee counseling psychologist; and the critical literature review was the last piece of work in my 3rd year. The research study followed seven years later. Although the client study and review have been updated, I still feel that these pieces of work reflect my growing understanding of narcissism and its presentation - not only in the client and participant‘s but also in me. Underpinning all three pieces of work are the subtle interactions of the different spectrums of narcissism unraveling and evolving within the intersubjective space between us. A: The preface provides an overview of each component of the thesis as well as how the various components of the Portfolio are inter-related with the concept of narcissism. B: The case study illustrates the slow development of trust within the therapeutic relationship when working with a client with dual diagnoses of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Therapy with this client took place within the context of his high managerial position in a very competitive organization within the international environment where displaying ‗narcissistic behavior' is rewarded. As his therapist, challenges to my way of working was firstly, in identifying the tensions between self-absorbing and self-actualizing narcissism that were maintaining Phil‘s unmanageable levels of anxiety. Secondly, to find ways of working with both concepts and feelings that were in tension with one another that were also in the client‘s best interests. C: The critical literature review examines the nature of counter-transference experienced by myself as a 3rd year trainee as a result of a critical incident in the workplace. Available literature on counter-transference is reviewed; the unconscious processes involved, as well as available empirical studies on countertransference as experienced by qualified therapists and trainee therapists. D: The research study explored how women in midlife experienced facial ageing and facial rejuvenation within a ‗culture of narcissism‘. The study aimed to explore in-depth phenomenological experiences of a ‗non-clinical‘ sample of women who chose to undergo facial rejuvenation cosmetic surgery and/or procedures and were satisfied with the results. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was chosen as this approach enabled participants to express the meaning this experience held for them. As the researcher I engaged with these reflections with the intention of hermeneutically understanding the meanings this act held for them. The findings revealed interplay between external facial appearance and internal intra-psychic phenomenon maintaining a repetitive cycle of self-conscious emotions such as shame and pride. The thesis concludes with the argument that the concepts of shame, pride/vanity and shame are circular in nature and integral aspects of facial ageing and rejuvenation for most of these women. It concludes with a chapter on Validity, Limitations, Building-on the Research, and Relevance to Counselling Psychology

Design, Development and Implementation Framework for a Postgraduate Non-Surgical Aesthetics Curriculum

Non-surgical aesthetics (NSA) procedures are primarily performed in private clinics away from traditional teaching hospital settings, establishing structured training and education in these procedures during residency training has been challenging. The objective of this study was to design and develop an evidence-based postgraduate curriculum in non-surgical aesthetics. It necessitated determining the current state of training and education for NSA procedures in postgraduate clinical education. Following a design-based research approach, a subsequent systematic literature review and a cross-sectional global-needs assessment study established the need for such a curriculum. Subsequent literature reviews and series of global Delphi studies have informed and guided the design and development of the conceptual framework, core curriculum content and finally, the implementation framework to facilitate the smooth delivery of the programme. The research also incorporated pilot studies for teaching methodology, assessment strategies like “objective structured practical examination (OSPE) and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)”, which has shown to be very effective. The conceptual framework for curriculum design and development in NSA emerged from the global Delphi study. The conceptual framework is anchored on critical thinking and uses enquiry-based learning to develop information mastery, skills, and values and attitude. Moreover, relevant threshold concepts guided the construction of learning outcomes mapped against the core curriculum. The finding of this study is a crucial first step in bringing an evidence-based structure to training and education in NSA. This thesis will act as a ‘blueprint’ for the policymakers and program directors while curating a postgraduate programme in NSA

Aging Experiments: Futures and Fantasies of Old Age

The sustained expansion of the life span and the attendant demographic changes in the West have fuelled the production of cultural texts that explore alternative representations of aging and old age. The contributors to this volume show how artists in science-fiction, fantasy and the avant-garde develop visions of late life transformation, improvisation and adaptation to new circumstances. The studies particularly focus on perspectives on aging that challenge the predominant narratives of decline as well as fantasies of eternal youth, as defined by neoliberal notions of health, able-bodiedness, agency, self-improvement, progress, plasticity and productivity

Treatment of Skin Aging and Photoaging with Innovative Oral Dosage Forms of Non-Hydrolized Carnosine and Carcinine

Aging is a multifactorial process resulting in several functional and esthetic changes in the skin. Advances in research have yielded a tremendous amount of information on the molecular pathways involved in both intrinsic aging (natural) and extrinsic aging (including photoaging). Some of the characteristic features of aging skin, such as wrinkling, loss of elasticity, and atrophy, can largely be attributed to dermal changes. The amount of collagen in the skin decreases, while the cross linking increases, and the solubility of collagen is reduced. The role of fibroblasts in aging tissue has been most extensively studied in mammalian skin. The total number of fibroblasts decreases, and their metabolism shows characteristic alterations.The dermis is maintained in large part by fibroblasts, which secrete dermal collagens, elastin, and other extracellular matrix components. When the skin is wounded, fibroblasts secrete proteases to degrade the wounded matrix, and then synthesize new matrix. The fibroblasts also secrete growth factors to stimulate the keratinocytes to proliferate and close the wound and cytokines to attract macrophages to engulf and degrade debris. Stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) occurs after many different sublethal stresses including a number of oxidation factors, such as H2 O2 , hyperoxia, or organic and lipid hydroperoxides. Fibroblast cells in replicative senescence share common features with cells in SIPS: morphology, senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity, cell cycle regulation, gene expression and telomere shortening. Most human cells lack sufficient telomerase to maintain telomeres, hence these genetic elements shorten with time and stress, contributing to aging and disease. We systematically examine the evidence supporting the use of dosage forms of non-hydrolized carnosine or carcinine in oral formulations for skin beautification purposes and provide a summary of the biomarkers of intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging, including photoaging. Senescence phenotype of human diploid fibroblasts is related with the exhaustion of their proliferative potential. This work suggests that different cell types, such as human skin fibroblasts, may use specific cellular treatment strategies with imidazole-containing dipeptides to halt the accelerated senescence of the fibroblast cells in response to telomere attrition and thus prevent skin aging through the number of biologically viable and safe metabolic pathways. The published data demonstrate that telomerase is expressed in the epidermis in situ independent of age. The reason for the sustained telomere length or expression of telomerase activity in the epidermis is associated not only with an increased turnover of keratinocytes, but also occurs due to the fact that the formation of a well structured epidermis strictly depends on a tight balance between proliferation and differentiation. Oral dosage forms of non-hydrolized carnosine or carcinine induce cellular responses in human skin fibroblasts through the telomere-mediated pathway and redox signaling, supporting the view that carnosine or related imidazole-containing dipeptide based compound-induced hormetic stimulation of cellular antioxidant defenses can be a useful approach toward anti-aging intervention to the skin

Blowing Away Convention: Enchi Fumiko, Tanabe Seiko and Aging Women in Modern Japanese Literature

Since the 1970s, Japan\u27s rapidly aging population has prompted a range of narratives addressing the issue of aging, which has disproportionately affected women. Prevailing narratives often present the elderly demographic as either a national burden that exhausts social resources, or a national pride that represents a well-structured healthcare system. This study focuses on aged women—often deemed expendable and unimportant by society—who occupy principal roles in various works by Japanese modern women writers. This study asks the question: why does literature occasionally lure its readers to the oft-ignored voice of the sultry crone? By granting their aging female protagonists unconventional interiorities and subjectivities, writers underscore elderly women\u27s voices and agency. In so doing, these writers challenge the popular narratives of Japan\u27s greying society which have reinforced restrictive representations of the elderly and overlooked the richness and diversity of their personal lives and experiences. This study examines three stories by Enchi Fumiko (1905-1986)— Hana kui uba ( The Old Woman Who Eats Flowers, 1974), Neko no sōshi ( The Cat Scroll, 1974), and Kinuta ( The Fulling Block, 1980)—and Tanabe Seiko\u27s (b. 1928) novel Uba tokimeki (Silver Butterflies, 1984). These works treat the socially regulated views on aged women by diverging from common narratives that illustrate them as weak, lonely, and socially useless characters. Borrowing Margaret Gullette\u27s notion of decline ideology, which defines aging as a social, ideological process rather than a biological process, my study builds upon and expands the previous scholarship on aging in cultural and literary realms. It explores how the two writers challenge rigid gender divisions and social propriety in modern Japan through their aged female characters, who break away from the stagnated images of the powerless and ineffectual elderly woman

Coinage and conflict: the manipulation of Seleucid political imagery

The purpose of this thesis is to provide a thematic analysis of the historical, political, and economic context of Seleucid portraiture, namely that on coins, but with reference to gemstones, seals, and sculpture where evidence exists. No attention has been given to the aesthetic value of such items, as has been the habit of art historians, as a great deal of the evidence analysed here consists of bronze coins. Nor is this work intended to be a catalogue, as technical information on coins has been well documented in the many catalogues in this field. The first chapter provides a general survey of the issue of autonomy and its relationship to the Seleucids, whether among the Greek poleis of Asia Minor or other autonomous areas of the Seleucid empire. This is followed by an obligatory discussion of the influence of Alexander on the Seleucids, which has been kept deliberately short due to the amount of scholarship already completed in this field. The issue of warfare and its effect on Seleucid iconography follows this. The first three chapters cover issues affecting Seleucid iconography, whether for legitimate kings or otherwise, which leads on to a chapter covering the Seleucid usurpers. The function of this chapter within the thesis is twofold; firstly, it introduces the concept of usurpation and its effect on the iconography of legitimate kings; secondly, it contains extensive discussion of the coinages of the individual usurpers. The next four chapters serve to analyse the variation of the royal image for legitimate kings, assessing the effect of autonomy, warfare, Alexander, and usurpation on the changing royal image. The kings discussed in the respective chapters were chosen on similarities of iconography and factors affecting this. The final chapter is a discussion on Seleucid female iconography, affected by many of the same factors as male portraiture

CIR-Myo News: Abstracts of the 2015 Spring Padua Muscle Days

Not available