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Title: | The Relationships Between Body Image, Leisure Time Physical Activity, And Composition Among People Living With Spinal Cord Injury |
Authors: | Bassett, Rebecca |
Advisor: | Ginis, Kathleen |
Department: | Kinesiology |
Keywords: | Body Image, Leisure time, Spinal cord Injury, Self-Regulatory Strategies and Behaviours, Functional Capabilities |
Publication Date: | Nov-2007 |
Abstract: | <p>Body image is an important component of physical and psychological health. Cash's (2002) cognitive-behavioural model of body image is useful for understanding factors related to body image, such as body composition and leisure time physical activity (LTPA). Changes in body composition and LTPA following spinal cord injury (SCI) may increase the risk of developing an unhealthy body image and may jeopardize the overall health and well-being of people with SCI. Unfortunately, little research had been conducted to explore factors related to body image in the SCI population.</p><p>The object of the current thesis was to examine body image in people with SCI, within the framework of Cash's (2002) model. Specifically, we examined the relationships between appearance and functional satisfaction, LTPA, and body composition in 61 men and women with SCI. Pearson's correlations were calculated to examine the relationship between body composition and body satisfaction. In order to compare body satisfaction between men and women who engaged in some LTPA versus no LTPA, separate 2 (sex) x 2 (LTPA) ANOVAs were calculated for appearance satisfaction and functional satisfaction.</p><p>We hypothesized that body composition would be negatively related to appearance satisfaction and functional satisfaction such that higher body weight, percentage body fat and waist circumference would be associated with lower levels of satisfaction. Further, we hypothesized that after controlling for body composition, participants who engaged in LTPA would have more appearance and functional satisfaction than those who did not.Finally, we hypothesized that body satisfaction would be more strongly related to moderate-intensity LTPA versus mild-intensity LTPA, and resistance-LTPA versus aerobic-LTP A.</p><p>In partial support of our hypothesis, body composition was significantly related to appearance satisfaction for women only. Body composition was not significantly related to functional satisfaction for men or women. The results of the ANOVAs indicate that women were more dissatisfied with their appearance than men. However, contrary to hypothesis, appearance satisfaction did not differ between men or women who engaged in . LTPA versus those who did not. For men and women, those who engaged in mild or moderate intensity LTPA were less satisfied with their physical function than those who did not. Further, participants who engaged in resistance-LTPA were less satisfied with their physical function that those who did not.</p><p>Results are discussed within the framework of Cash's model. Findings suggest that people who engage in LTPA are less satisfied with their bodies than people who do not. This finding was surprising because LTPA has been shown to improve body image in the SCI population (Hicks et al., 2003). However, dissatisfaction with physical appearance or physical function may motivate individuals to engage in LTPA. The theoretical and practical implications of the current thesis are discussed. Prospective research is necessary to further understand the directionality of the relationship between the constructs of Cash's (2002) model, and to test SCI-specific variables as potential mediators and moderators of the relationship between LTPA and body image.</p> |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11375/21748 |
Appears in Collections: | Digitized Open Access Dissertations and Theses |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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Bassett_Rebecca_L._2007Nov_Masters..pdf | 2.68 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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