Absorbing Society’s Influence: Body Image Self-Discrepancy and Internalized Shame

In this study, we examined how injunctive cultural norms concerning body image are perceived by women, assessed the degree of body shame that occurs when an individual sees herself as differing from the cultural standard, and measured the extent to which the internalization of this standard as a personal ideal may influence the experience of body-related shame. Female college students (N = 687) completed measures of body shame and two types of body image self-discrepancy—actual:own ideal (AI) and actual:societal ought (ASO). Self-discrepancies were determined by subtracting participants' ideal and ought estimates from their actual body shape perception. AI was found to mediate the relationship between ASO and shame, which suggests that the internalization of body ideals may be an important antecedent to emotional consequences from cultural norms.     

Understanding the pattern of PTSD symptomatology: a comparison of between versus within-group approaches

This report examines the influence of statistical approach on patterns of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In this report, 114 women and 51 men were assessed using both the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the Posttraumatic Symptom Scale-Self Report measure (PSS-SR). Data were examined using both a between-group and a within-group design. In the between-group approach, three subsamples were formed, representing full syndrome PTSD (fPTSD), partial PTSD (pPTSD), and no PTSD. The fPTSD and pPTSD groups differed on total scores on both PTSD measures, although differences were noted between clinician and self-report measures in specific symptom clusters. In the within-group approach, curve estimation techniques were used to examine linear versus quadratic fit of the data, utilizing the sample as a whole, ranked according to a separate scale of clinical severity. A linear approach was noted for each measure. Results are discussed in light of current design choices in the literature and its impact on the understanding of post-trauma problems.     

Rebound effects following deliberate thought suppression: does PTSD make a difference?

This study was designed to examine the effects of deliberate suppression of trauma-related thoughts in 44 individuals who were PTSD+ and 26 individuals who were PTSD- following a motor vehicle accident (MVA). In an effort to resolve discrepancies in the literature, the PTSD- group was selected from the same help-seeking population as the patient group. Measures included the percentage of MVA-related thoughts, mood, perceived controllability of thoughts, and physiological arousal (heart rate, skin conductance, and two measures of facial EMG). Contrary to hypothesis, both PTSD+ and PTSD- groups showed a rebound in trauma-related thoughts following deliberate thought suppression. This rebound was associated with increases in negative affect, anxiety, and distress and diminished perceptions of controllability over thoughts. Examination of the physiological measures did not mirror the pattern noted for trauma-related thoughts, although the data suggest that suppression was associated with higher levels of frontalis EMG and possibly, reduced heart rate. The current study indicates that help-seeking individuals who are distressed about their psychological state following a serious MVA will show a rebound in MVA-related thoughts, irrespective of PTSD diagnosis. Implications for the study of thought suppression as a potential maintaining factor for trauma-related problems are discussed, with suggestions for future research.     

Differentiating anxiety and depression in older adults with generalized anxiety disorder

To examine affect and cognition in differentiating anxiety and depression, 83 older participants with generalized anxiety disorder completed the Cognitive Checklist (CCL) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). A 3-factor solution was found for the PANAS: positive affect (PA), anxiety and anger (Negative Affect 1 [NA-1]), and guilt and shame (Negative Affect 2 [NA-2]). A 2-factor structure was noted for the CCL. Correlations with anxiety and depression measures suggested that the CCL Depression (CCL-D) subscale showed stronger correlations with depression, whereas the CCL Anxiety subscale did not uniquely correlate with anxiety. The NA-1 subscale correlated positively with measures of depression and anxiety, whereas the PA subscale showed negative correlations. Hierarchical regression suggested that the CCL-D subscale was a significant predictor of self-reported depression.     

Scientific Meetings

WOMEN AND DESIRE: THE KAREN HORNEY LECTURE ON FEMININE PSYCHOLOGY Presenters: Velleda C. Ceccoli, Ph.D. and Michelle Price, C.S.W. Discussant: Arlene Kramer Richards, Ed.D. Date: October 21, 1999     

Religion and the Recovery of Addicted Women

Personal interviews were conducted with 102 African-American and Anglo-American women in Texas coastal communities to determine the involvement of religious organizations in women's initiation and maintenance of recovery from drug addiction, the extent of women's help-seeking for recovery, and women's spiritual needs. Means, frequencies, chi squares, Pearson's correlations, and one-way ANOVAs were used to describe the data. Religious organizations helped about one-third of the women to begin or stay in recovery, primarily through counseling or ministering to spiritual needs. Only one-fourth of the women had sought help from churches. The predominant spiritual needs were forgiveness, love, and understanding. Implications for research and outreach are given.     

An Investigation of the Effects of Protégé Gender on Responses to Mentoring

Review of the literature on mentoring at work reveals a paucity of studies investigating gender differences in responses to mentoring. Relations of mentoring status and protégé gender to organizational commitment, job satisfaction, career progress expectations, perceived employment alternatives, role conflict, and role ambiguity are reported for a sample of 254 managers. Results indicate that having a mentor may be associated with a more positive job experience and the perception of more employment alternatives elsewhere. Implications for future research are discussed.