UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Smith, M. Marie-Claire
Dept./Program:
Nursing
Year:
2010
Degree:
MS
Abstract:
Adolescence is a period of crucial psychological changes which include the formation of an integrated sense of self, and those changes require adjustments in all aspects of daily living, including language, school, health care, social life. Adolescents become focused on physical appearance and any deviation from the perceived ideal body can result in unhealthy eating. For the refugee and immigrant adolescents, there are the added challenges of learning a new language and straddling the culture of their homeland and the culture of their new place of settlement. Wars and their accompanying horrors of loss of family and friends, combat experience, torture, flight and refugee camp life are additional traumas that have a tremendous impact on adolescents and can affect the ease oftheir resettlement in the host country.
The purpose of this study was to explore whether or not female adolescents who are recent immigrants have a different perspective on their body image since they started living in the United States. The study also investigated what might have caused the change, and whether or not those who are dissatisfied with their body have acted on their dissatisfaction.
Seven students were recruited from a local high school. They answered questions developed by the researcher in one-on-one audio-taped interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed for common themes. All the participants in this study expressed perceptions of positive body image. Three participants acknowledged a change in their feelings and stated that they were happier because they had either gained or lost some weight. None of the three participants were able to express what factors caused them to have a heightened awareness of the size and shape of their bodies. Although all seven participants stated that they take active steps in maintaining their bodies' size and shape through diet and exercise, they seemed to lack understanding of calorie distribution and intensity of exercise regimen. Different options on how to provide education for better health promotion of female adolescent immigrants, including the role of Advance Practice Nurses, are explored.
The purpose of this study was to explore whether or not female adolescents who are recent immigrants have a different perspective on their body image since they started living in the United States. The study also investigated what might have caused the change, and whether or not those who are dissatisfied with their body have acted on their dissatisfaction.
Seven students were recruited from a local high school. They answered questions developed by the researcher in one-on-one audio-taped interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed for common themes. All the participants in this study expressed perceptions of positive body image. Three participants acknowledged a change in their feelings and stated that they were happier because they had either gained or lost some weight. None of the three participants were able to express what factors caused them to have a heightened awareness of the size and shape of their bodies. Although all seven participants stated that they take active steps in maintaining their bodies' size and shape through diet and exercise, they seemed to lack understanding of calorie distribution and intensity of exercise regimen. Different options on how to provide education for better health promotion of female adolescent immigrants, including the role of Advance Practice Nurses, are explored.