Am I Too Fat To Be A Princess? Examining The Effects Of Popular Children\u27s Media On Preschoolers\u27 Body Image

The current study investigated the effects of brief exposure to appearance-related media on female preschoolers\u27 body image. Results indicated that exposure did not affect body dissatisfaction or engagement in appearance-related play behaviors. Surprisingly, participants\u27 self-reported frequency of weight concerns decreased at posttest. In contrast to older populations, it is possible that young children may adopt the persona of attractive characters with whom they identify rather than comparing themselves to the characters. This level of identification temporarily may alleviate weight concerns. This is the first empirical study to provide support for previous findings that suggest media exposure does not affect body image in young children. Also presented are data regarding familial influences and other media consumption (e.g., television viewing) on girls\u27 body dissatisfaction

Making the Match: Finding Funding for After School Education and Safety Programs

Outlines strategies for California school and community leaders to secure cash and in-kind resources -- including public- and private-sector funding -- for ASES programs

Pawnbroking Customers in 2010: A Survey – A Report to the National Pawnbrokers Association

The National Pawnbrokers Association commissioned this research against a backdrop of significant change in the UK credit market. While earlier research used qualitative in-depth interviews to find out about the views and experiences of pawnbroking customers, this is the first independent quantitative survey of pawnbroking customers carried out in the UK. The survey was not intended to be representative of all pawnbroking customers. It does, however, give us a unique insight into the views and experiences of a group of 500 customers from a range of companies. Management information relating to around 5,500 customers was also analysed

Why do they Keep Going Back? Exploring Women's Discursive Experiences of Intimate Partner Abuse

Abstract: This paper explores how different discourses of intimate partner abuse (IPA) may impact women's decisions to stay or leave their partners. More specifically, we ask: 1) what narratives are available to and used by heterosexual and non-heterosexual female survivors of IPA to make sense of their experiences? 2) How might these narratives impact women's ability, or lack thereof, to disengage from their abusive partners? Prior literature suggests that there are four possible discourses on which women may draw including psychological (victim and offender), gendered political, and the narrative of romantic love. Analysis of discussion forums from online social networking sites revealed that while each of these discourses are utilised by women, scripts of romantic love may provide the strongest motivation for accepting and maintaining an abusive relationship. In contrast, understanding the psychological motivations of their abusers may empower female survivors to extricate themselves from the violence

Financial Wellbeing In Later Life: Evidence And Policy

In 2012, the University of Bristol’s Personal Finance Research Centre (PFRC) and the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC-UK) were awarded funding by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) through its Secondary Data Analysis Initiative to explore financial dimensions of wellbeing in older age. Over 15 months, we worked together to generate and disseminate knowledge on this important issue. This report brings together that knowledge and considers its relevance for policy and practice. The financial realities of an ageing population are the focus of intense policy concern, in the UK and across the globe. One in six of us in England and Wales are now aged 65 and over; and the over-85s are the fastest growing sector of the population. In 2010, there were 12,640 centenarians in the UK, and this is projected to rise to 160,000 by 2040 and over 0.5 million by 2066. As a growing population, older people are increasingly important to the UK economy. At the same time, their finances are coming under increasing pressure, not least from high inflation, high care costs, the global recession and public spending cuts. The research highlights three main themes that are relevant for policy and practice: 1. Understanding the older consumer; 2. Understanding older households’ balance sheets; and 3. Understanding the financial aspects of wellbeing in later life

Dialogic Exchanges and the Negotiation of Differences: Female Graduate Students\u27 Experiences of Obstacles Related to Academic Mentoring

This study, framed by social constructionism, investigated the dialogic exchanges and co-construction of knowledge among female graduate students, who met to discuss the ways in which the differences between mentors and mentees might be negotiated in order to develop and maintain mentoring relationships that benefit both partners. Ten female graduate students, with qualitative research experience, participated in individual interviews and focus groups. Findings indicated our participants were open to the differences expressed, focusing on commonalities, rather than accentuating or suppressing stated differences. This negotiation of difference enabled our participants to co-construct more complex and legitimate understandings of mentoring. Collectively, our participants expressed a need for mentoring that addressed psychosocial, as well as career functions and mentoring relationships that supported the development of both mentor and mentee as scholars and researchers

Behavioral and Psychological Factors Associated with 12-Month Weight Change in a Physical Activity Trial

Examining behavioral and psychological factors relating to weight stability over a 1-year period is of public health importance. We conducted a physical activity (PA) intervention trial for women (N = 247; mean age = 47.5 ± 10.7; mean BMI = 28.6 ± 5.3) in which participants were assigned to one of three groups (two PA and one contact-control). By Month 12, participants achieved 140.4 ± 14.82 min of PA/week, with no group differences. Weight status change from baseline to Month 12 was categorized: no change (N = 154; 62.4%); increase (N = 34; 13.8%); decrease (N = 59; 23.9%). Discriminant function analyses indentified two statistically significant dimensions associated with weight change. Dimension 1 was positively weighted by mood (0.73) and self-efficacy (0.79); dimension 2 was positively weighted to change in physical activity (0.58) and fat consumption (0.55). Results provide further evidence for the importance of behavior in long-term weight maintenance, particularly physical activity and dietary fat. These findings also provide evidence for the importance of addressing psychosocial variables, in particular depressed mood and self-efficacy

Work ready graduates for Australian small and medium Accounting firms

Approximately 40% of graduate recruitment in Australia is by small and medium accounting (SMA) firms, firms which can face different constraints compared to their larger counterparts. Given the attributes of SMA firms it is important to appreciate what they consider makes a work ready graduate. This article reports the findings of a study that explores what makes a graduate work ready when commencing employment within an Australian SMA firm. The findings suggest that a work ready graduate for an SMA firm has a working knowledge and understanding of business accounting software programs, taxation knowledge and tax software skills. Additionally, there is a high emphasis on communication and interpersonal skills. This raises the question as to whether current university degrees are providing adequate technical and generic skill development for those graduates seeking employment with SMA firms

Evaluating An Online Personalized Family-based Intervention To Promote Healthy Lifestyle Changes

The current study evaluated the initial feasibility, efficacy, and acceptability of a motivationally-tailored family-based intervention designed to promote the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors associated with physical activity and nutrition. Parents (N=132) of children 6 to 11 years old were randomly assigned to the intervention or control condition, and they completed a series of online questionnaires. Intervention participants (n=61) received a single motivationally-tailored feedback report via e-mail. Control participants (n=71) completed measures and immediately received information about a free online resource that provides information about healthy lifestyle behaviors (www.mypyramid.gov). Feasibility data indicate that an online feedback program has high dissemination potential (parents from 31 states participated). However, the current methodology is not sufficient in reaching families who are at greatest risk for developing chronic health conditions associated with obesity or low activity level. In general, the intervention was acceptable to parents. Outcome data revealed that the intervention and control groups did not differ significantly on most variables at one month follow-up. Exploratory analyses provided additional evidence for the importance of including parents and targeting parent-child interactions in the context of pediatric nutrition and physical activity interventions. Limitations and future directions are discussed