| 1999 — 2000 |
Thompson, Joel Kevin |
R03Activity Code Description:
To provide research support specifically limited in time and amount for studies in categorical program areas. Small grants provide flexibility for initiating studies which are generally for preliminary short-term projects and are non-renewable. |
Risk For Eating and Body Image Problems in Adolescence @ University of South Florida
DESCRIPTION (As Adapted from the Investigator's Abstract): The investigation of risk factors for the development of weight and eating- related disturbances in adolescence may facilitate the design of intervention programs to reduce the negative health effects of body dissatisfaction and eating problems on adolescents' general psychological functioning. In particular, designs are needed that evaluate the relative contributions of multiple putative risk factors, such as societal, parental, and peer influences. The proposed study will evaluate 1000 adolescent females, ages 10-16, and consist of three primary goals: 1) the development and validation of a measure of risk consisting of a sociocultural variable, with specific interest directed to the measurement of the internalization of societal pressures regarding appearance; 2) the evaluation of a parental risk factor (mother vs. father influence), along with peer and sociocultural variables, in the prediction of body dissatisfaction, eating disturbance, and general psychological functioning; and, 3) the detection of age at greatest risk of internalization of societal pressures regarding appearance, and the association of internalization with weight and eating-related concerns at various ages. Findings are expected to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the onset of eating disturbances and should lead to the development of early intervention and prevention strategies.
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1 |
| 2005 — 2006 |
Thompson, Joel Kevin |
R21Activity Code Description:
To encourage the development of new research activities in categorical program areas. (Support generally is restricted in level of support and in time.) |
Body Image, Tanning Intentions, and Tanning Behavior @ University of South Florida
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Understanding the motives for sunbathing and indoor tanning is an extremely important public health issue. Skin cancer rates have increased dramatically in recent years and research has indicated a parallel increase in exposure via sunbathing and utilization of sun lamps and tanning beds. Motives for such behaviors have been thought to be related to appearance concerns, yet little research has examined variables such as societal attitudes toward tanning, appearance-related motives, and body image (i.e., appearance) dissatisfaction. Two studies are proposed that detail measurement development and model testing to predict indoor tanning, sunbathing, and sun-protection intentions and behaviors. Study 1 involves the initial development of a multidimensional measure of tan appearance influences and motives. Study 2 will cross validate the measure obtained in Study 1 and also examine the relations among the new tan appearance scale, general appearance satisfaction, skin cancer risk susceptibility and intentions to indoor tan, sunbathe, and use sun-protection strategies. A prospective component will also be part of Study 2, whereby indoor tanning, sunbathing, and sun-protection behaviors will be assessed at six-month follow-up. Structural equation modeling will be used to test a model evaluating the direct and mediated effects of tan appearance factors, general appearance satisfaction, risk susceptibility, and intentions (indoor tanning, sunbathing, sun-protection) on predicting behaviors (indoor tanning, sunbathing, sun protection). The findings from these investigations should yield important information relevant to the development of novel prevention and early intervention programs geared toward the reduction of skin cancer risk.
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1 |