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• We lack evidence-based approaches for Consumer Directed Care in aged care homes. • Out training program supported delivery of consumer directed care for care staff. • Practice of CDC and the home's orientation toward CDC increased slightly. • There was limited change in resident quality of life. • Findings highlight the importance of organizational leadership and support. This study evaluated a training program to support the delivery of consumer directed care (CDC). It was hypothesized that both interventions, compared to the control condition, would demonstrate increased levels of CDC in nursing homes, increased staff practice of CDC, and improved resident QoL. The training plus support group was expected to show greater gains, compared to the training only group. In a cluster RCT design, 33 nursing homes were randomly allocated to one of three conditions: training plus support, training only , and care as usual. Outcome measures included level of CDC within each home, staff practice of CDC, and resident QoL. Hypotheses for this study were partially supported. Nursing homes became more CDC-oriented but with minimal changes in staff practice of CDC. Resident QoL also demonstrated limited change. The findings are discussed in terms of organizational barriers to change within nursing homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Stroke can have a devastating impact on the mental and physical health of stroke survivors and their carers. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel psychosocial intervention designed to improve health outcomes in both groups. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of a personalized psychosocial intervention (eight 1-hour weekly sessions plus one booster) compared to usual care for adult stroke survivors and carers. Participants recruited from hospital services and community referrals completed questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Primary outcomes were quality of life and self-efficacy; secondary outcomes were depressive and anxiety symptoms, coping, illness perception, work and social adjustment, carer strain, and carer satisfaction. Mixed-effect model repeated measures analysis between groups and across time was conducted. Results: Of the 173 participants recruited (89 stroke survivors; 84 carers), a total of 137 participants – 73 stroke survivors (intervention n = 42; usual care n = 31) and 64 carers (intervention n = 35; usual care n = 29) – underwent analysis up to 12 months. No statistically significant differences were found in the primary outcomes between groups over time, though a significant improvement in carer satisfaction was found at 6 months in the intervention group compared to the usual care group. Conclusion: A personalized psychosocial intervention resulted in a significant improvement in carer satisfaction at 6 months but in no other outcomes. A lack of available services and barriers to social engagement may have impeded the effectiveness of this intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two measures of sociocultural influence and internalization of the thin/low body fat and muscular ideal were examined across eight countries. • Support for partial invariance was found across the scales. • Group-level differences emerged across countries and demographic group. • Measures sociocultural influence and appearance ideals (thin/low body fat and muscular) were examined across eight countries. The aim of the current study was to examine the psychometric properties of two well-established measures of sociocultural influence and internalization of the thin/low body fat ideal and muscular ideal. Data from 6272 emerging adults (68.9 % female), aged 18–30 years from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Spain, and the U.S. were included in this study. Participants completed measures of pressure from mother, fathers, peers, and media, to both increase muscles and lose weight, as well as internalization of the thin/low body fat ideal and muscular ideal. Overall, support for partial invariance was found across the scales. In addition, group level differences were found between countries as well as along demographic factors including gender, age, body mass index, and socioeconomic status. These findings make an important contribution by identifying these scales as useful tools that will support future cross-country and cross-cultural examinations of explanatory models of the development of body image and eating concerns grounded within sociocultural theories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Important to ensure scales are invariant across gender and country. • This series of papers examines a range of variables across gender and country. • Meaning of the items as well as scale structure is important across gender and country. It is important that scales that evaluate body image and related attitudes and behaviors are both reliable and valid to evaluate these constructs in different countries. This paper introduces a series of five papers that examine the measurement invariance of multiple scales for men and women across eight countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Spain, and the US). The papers examined measures of: sociocultural influences (i.e., appearance-related pressures) on strategies to lose weight/increase muscle; internalization of the thin/muscular ideal; body image; personality constructs; body change strategies to increase muscles and lose weight; and eating regulation. Measurement invariance was generally well-established across the eight countries. One or more items were removed in some scales for some countries to establish invariance. Factor loadings were equivalent across countries and refined scales demonstrated acceptable levels of reliability. The most frequent difference in the scales was in the item intercepts across groups, although most item intercepts were equivalent across groups. This series of papers makes an important contribution to the body image literature by demonstrating the validity of measures of body image, disordered eating, and sociocultural factors that can be used to better understand the relationship between these variables across different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Across eight countries, five measures of body image and shape attitudes and behaviors demonstrated partial invariance. • There were gender and BMI differences across these measures. • There were some differences in scores on the scales across counties, particularly those scales related to drive for leanness and strategies to lose weight. The aim of this study was to examine the cross-country invariance of five well-established measures of body weight and shape concern-related attitudes and behaviors (i.e., drive for leanness, drive for muscularity, strategies to increase muscle, strategies to lose weight, and weight and shape concerns). A secondary objective was to examine the effects of several sociodemographic factors (age, BMI, socioeconomic status, and gender) on item and latent factor scores of these constructs. A total of 6272 emerging adults (4218 women; M age = 21.46, SD = 3.11) from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Spain, and the U.S. completed a self-report online survey as part of a larger study. Overall, support for partial invariance both across countries and in terms of the considered sociodemographic factors was found for reduced versions of the five measures. Significant differences in latent means were found across countries, these being of greater magnitude for drive for leanness and strategies to lose weight. The considered sociodemographic factors (most notably BMI and gender) were associated with the latent mean scores of the assessed constructs. The present study contributes to current literature by providing cross-cultural invariant versions of several measures of relevance in the field of body image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper examines four measures related to positive body image across eight countries. • The measurement invariance of the BAS-2, BASS, PACS, and WBIS-M was examined. • In general, findings suggest the utility of these measures across countries. • Measures were more likely to vary as a function of differences in BMI and gender. Positive body image refers to individuals' ability to conceptualize their bodies with love, respect, and appreciation. The study of positive body image is relatively new, and instruments used to investigate this multi-faceted construct have received limited use in non-English speaking countries. Thus, the aim of this investigation is to consider four measures that are associated with positive body image across eight different countries. Participants (n = 6272) completed the Body Appreciation Scale-2, the Body Areas Satisfaction Scale, the Physical Appearance Comparison Scale, and the Weight Bias Internalization Scale. Multi-group confirmatory factor analyses (MG-CFAs) and item-response theory (IRT) models were used to examine the measurement invariance of these surveys. Our results generally suggest that positive body image, weight bias, and appearance comparison can be assessed using brief assessments and that these four instruments can be used in different countries, but care should be taken to consider individuals' gender, BMI, and socio-economic position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the measurement invariance of three scales that assessed emotional eating, restrained eating, and intuitive eating across eight countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United States) in order to determine their suitability for cross-country body image research. A total of 6272 young adults took part in this study. Participants completed an online survey including the Emotional Eating subscale of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-Revised 21, the Restraint subscale of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire , and the Reliance on Hunger and Satiety Cues subscale of The Intuitive Eating Scale-2. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate potential cross-country differences in functioning of the measures. Partial invariance for all three scales was found, with only minor levels of non-invariance identified. Multiple indicator multiple cause models identified BMI and gender as potential influences on scores for these measures. Sources of invariance across groups are discussed, as well as implications for further substantive research across countries involving these measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Psychometric properties of measures of selected personality factors were compared across eight countries. • The measurement invariance of the MPS, UPPS-P, 5-item RSES and SIAS-6 was investigated. • Findings suggest that these measures demonstrate limited validity for use across different cultures. This study assessed the measurement invariance of selected self-report measures of perfectionism, impulsivity, self-esteem and social anxiety in samples of emerging adults from eight different countries. Participants (N = 6272) completed the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale, the 5-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (5-item RSES) and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS-6). Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was run to examine cross-measure equivalence. Evidence for structural invariance was found for all questionnaires, while weak invariance was supported only for the 5-item RSES and the SIAS-6, and a partial weak invariance was found for the MPS and the UPPS-P. No measure achieved strong invariance. Strict invariance was achieved for the 5-item RSES, whereas only a partial strict invariance was supported for the MPS, UPPS-P and SIAS-6. These results suggest that perfectionism, impulsivity, self-esteem, and social anxiety are subjected to linguistic/cultural influence as well as to the effects of socio-demographic variables and can be evaluated by using the selected measures in eight different countries worldwide - but results should be interpreted with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We introduce a conceptual model of risk factors for eating disorders and higher weight among adults. • Our proposal will examine the utility of this model across gender and nine countries. • The proposed research design will test the nature of the model relationships longitudinally. Research has demonstrated that eating disorders (ED) and higher weight have lifetime co-occurrence suggesting that they may be best considered within a common etiological model. Although we know that body dissatisfaction is likely to be a risk factor for both outcomes, other proposed risk and protective factors for each condition have not been adequately explored. The current paper tests a conceptual model that is based on a review of the existing literature from both areas of scholarship. It considers biological, sociocultural, psychological, and behavioral factors that may contribute to both outcomes. The model will be tested in a longitudinal design with an initial sample of 600 emerging adults (aged 18–30) per country in nine different countries (total sample = 5400 participants). Questionnaires will be completed online on two occasions, 12 months apart. The first full phase of the study commenced in July 2018, the same time Body Image was approached to publish this protocol paper (the final revised paper was submitted in September 2019), and data collection will be finalized in December 2019. Multi-group path analysis will identify the biopsychosocial predictors – both cross-sectionally and longitudinally – of both ED and higher weight, and how these vary across countries and gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions on depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, quality of life, self-efficacy, coping, carer strain and carer satisfaction among stroke survivors, carers and survivor-carer dyads. Data sources: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scopus databases and the grey literature were searched up to September 2018. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of psychosocial interventions for stroke survivors, carers and survivor-carer dyads, compared to usual care. Outcomes measured were depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, quality of life, coping, self-efficacy, carer strain, and carer satisfaction. Results: Thirty-one randomized controlled trials (n = 5715) were included in the systematic review which found improvements in depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, quality of life and coping, though the number of trials assessing each outcome varied. A meta-analysis (11 trials; n = 1280) on depressive symptoms found that in seven trials psychosocial interventions reduced depressive symptoms in stroke survivors (SMD: −0.36, 95% CI −0.73 to 0.00; p =.05) and in six trials reduced depressive symptoms in carers (SMD: −0.20, 95% CI −.40 to 0.00; p =.05). Conclusion: Psychosocial interventions reduced depressive symptoms in stroke survivors and their carers. There was limited evidence that such interventions reduced anxiety symptoms, or improved quality of life and coping for stroke survivors and carers and no evidence that they improved self-efficacy, carer strain or carer satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated a gender-specific, school-based program to promote positive body image and address risk factors for body dissatisfaction. In total, 652 children aged 8–10 years participated (335 intervention, 317 wait-list control). Children participated in four 60 min sessions and a recap session at three months post-intervention. The broad content areas were body image, peer relationships, media awareness, healthy diet, and exercise. The activities and examples for each session were gender specific. The recap session was an overview of the four sessions. Assessment measures were completed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and after the recap. Boys and girls in the intervention demonstrated higher muscle esteem and vegetable intake at post-intervention, compared to children in the control condition. Boys and girls demonstrated higher body esteem, muscle esteem and fruit and vegetable intake at the recap. Boys in the intervention demonstrated less investment in masculine gender norms at post-intervention and at recap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review examines body dissatisfaction and the influence of sociocultural messages related to body image among preschool children. The review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and 16 studies were included in the final analysis. Findings suggest that children under the age of 6 years old experience body dissatisfaction, however, the proportion of children who are dissatisfied varied from around 20% to 70%, depending on the method of assessment. The literature was divided on whether preschool aged girls experience more body dissatisfaction than boys. Parental influence appears to be an important factor in the development of preschool children's body dissatisfaction and attitudes. However, more research is needed to understand the influences of children's peers and the media. The need for more sensitive measures of body dissatisfaction and prevention programs for preschool children is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study determined how sociocultural messages to change one's body are perceived by adolescents from different cultural groups. In total, 4904 adolescents, including Australian, Chilean, Chinese, Indo-Fijian, Indigenous Fijian, Greek, Malaysian, Chinese Malaysian, Tongans in New Zealand, and Tongans in Tonga, were surveyed about messages from family, peers, and the media to lose weight, gain weight, and increase muscles. Groups were best differentiated by family pressure to gain weight. Girls were more likely to receive the messages from multiple sociocultural sources whereas boys were more likely to receive the messages from the family. Some participants in a cultural group indicated higher, and others lower, levels of these sociocultural messages. These findings highlight the differences in sociocultural messages across cultural groups, but also that adolescents receive contrasting messages within a cultural group. These results demonstrate the difficulty in representing a particular message as being characteristic of each cultural group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rates of overweight and obesity increase significantly whilst children and young people are in out-of-home care. This paper provides the protocol for a study, funded by the Australian Research Council (2012–2014), being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a Healthy Eating and Active Living intervention programme for adolescents who live in out-of-home residential care. This randomised trial will be conducted with 118 adolescents aged 13–17 years of age in out-of-home residential care and the residential staff who look after them. Adolescents' eating habits, physical activity levels, psychological well-being, body dissatisfaction and weight status will be assessed at baseline, immediately post the programme (which runs for 6 months), and again 12 months post baseline. Similar measures will be obtained from residential carers (across the same time points). If effective, this programme could be implemented as usual care to modify levels of obesity amongst these vulnerable young people. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Background: A substantial body of research has focused on maternal perinatal mood and wellbeing, with the focus predominantly being on depression, and to a lesser extent, anxiety. Perinatal maternal stress has also been investigated recently, but to a far lesser extent. The present paper questions whether the term ‘perinatal distress’ accurately captures the range of challenges experienced by women during the perinatal period, when the scope of ‘distress’ is limited to the experience of depression and anxiety alone. Method: A review of the perinatal literature was conducted using several databases, to identify studies that have focused on the experience of stress as a distinct affective state in the perinatal period. Findings: The findings of two recent studies which have employed a broader conceptualisation of perinatal distress to encompass the experience of stress as well as depression and anxiety are outlined. These recent studies have identified the experience of stress both in conjunction with and independent of depression and anxiety. Conclusion: It is argued that future studies should investigate the concept of stress as a separate affective state throughout the perinatal period, in order to further assess how it differs from depression and/or anxiety. A more comprehensive understanding of women's experiences during their transition to motherhood, and whether ‘stress’ plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of perinatal anxiety and/or depression is needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] A biopsychosocial model of weight status perception was examined. [•] Biological, psychological, and social variables were associated with misperception. [•] Moderately overweight adolescents are at most risk of underestimating their weight status. [•] Healthy weight boys tended to perceive themselves as underweight. [•] Boys are most satisfied with a perceived weight within the healthy weight range. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aims: Exercise Dependence (EXD) is a clinical condition associated with physical and psychological risks for elite athletes. This paper describes the development and preliminary validation of the Exercise Dependence (EXD) and Elite Athletes Scale (EDEAS). Method: Study 1 generated 27 preliminary items for the EDEAS based on the perceptions of coaches of elite athletes (n =86). In Study 2, the initial EDEAS was administered to 234 elite athletes and the responses were factor analyzed. Results: Six factors emerged: Unhealthy Eating Behavior, Conflict and Dissatisfaction, More Training, Withdrawal, Emotional Difficulties, Continuance Behavior. Item-total correlations for individual subscales and internal reliabilities were acceptable (i.e., α >.60). The final 24-item EDEAS was validated against an alternative measure of EXD, and was shown to be highly correlated. Conclusion: The EDEAS shows acceptable preliminary psychometric properties as a measure of EXD among elite athletes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: nearly half of all women exceed the guideline recommended pregnancy weight gain for their Body Mass Index (BMI) category. Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) is correlated positively with postpartum weight retention and is a predictor of long-term, higher BMI in mothers and their children. Psychosocial factors are generally not targeted in GWG behaviour change interventions, however, multifactorial, conceptual models that include these factors, may be useful in determining the pathways that contribute to excessive GWG. We propose a conceptual model, underpinned by health behaviour change theory, which outlines the psychosocial determinants of GWG, including the role of motivation and self-efficacy towards healthy behaviours. This model is based on a review of the existing literature in this area. Assessment and conclusion: there is increasing evidence to show that psychosocial factors, such as increased depressive symptoms, anxiety, lower self-esteem and body image dissatisfaction, are associated with excessive GWG. What is less known is how these factors might lead to excessive GWG. Our conceptual model proposes a pathway of factors that affect GWG, and may be useful for understanding the mechanisms by which interventions impact on weight management during pregnancy. This involves tracking the relationships among maternal psychosocial factors, including body image concerns, motivation to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviours, confidence in adopting healthy lifestyle behaviours for the purposes of weight management, and actual behaviour changes. Implications for practice: health-care providers may improve weight gain outcomes in pregnancy if they assess and address psychosocial factors in pregnancy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigated how dissatisfaction with various aspects of the body is associated with overall body dissatisfaction among female adolescents in Western and Asian cultures. Data used in the study were obtained from 58 Malaysian Malays, 95 Malaysian Chinese, 242 Chinese from China, and 81 non-Asian Australians aged 12–19 years (M =15.72, SD =1.72) who were recruited from high schools. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing dissatisfaction with their body overall, and dissatisfaction with varying aspects of their body. Malaysian Chinese were the most dissatisfied with their bodies. After controlling for body mass index (BMI), age and dissatisfaction with weight/shape, upper, middle and lower body, and muscles, dissatisfaction with the face was positively correlated with overall body dissatisfaction among Malaysian Malays and Australians. These findings demonstrate the importance of using assessment measures that address all possible areas of body focus as well as being tailored to the relevant culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study investigated how dissatisfaction with various aspects of the body is associated with overall body dissatisfaction among female adolescents in Western and Asian cultures. Data used in the study were obtained from 58 Malaysian Malays, 95 Malaysian Chinese, 242 Chinese from China, and 81 non-Asian Australians aged 12–19 years (M =15.72, SD =1.72) who were recruited from high schools. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing dissatisfaction with their body overall, and dissatisfaction with varying aspects of their body. Malaysian Chinese were the most dissatisfied with their bodies. After controlling for body mass index (BMI), age and dissatisfaction with weight/shape, upper, middle and lower body, and muscles, dissatisfaction with the face was positively correlated with overall body dissatisfaction among Malaysian Malays and Australians. These findings demonstrate the importance of using assessment measures that address all possible areas of body focus as well as being tailored to the relevant culture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Depression is highly prevalent in patients receiving palliative care; however, detection rates are low, with many patients who suffer with depression continuing to go undetected and untreated. A number of factors unique to this setting, as well as issues relating to staff knowledge and self-efficacy working with depression, may impede the detection of patients who are depressed by professional health care staff. Although programmes aimed to train nurses and other allied health staff in depression may be an effective way to improve detection rates, there have been few studies investigating the efficacy of these interventions. This article draws upon recent literature to provide a narrative review of barriers to detection and factors relating to professional palliative care staffs'' ability to provide pathways to care for patients who suffer with depression in this setting. Previously evaluated training programmes are reviewed and the argument is made that further development and empirical evaluation of depression training interventions for staff in this setting will provide services with evidence-based methods of training nurses and other professional care staff and improve the pathways to care for patients who suffer with depression. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study evaluated whether the strength of relationship between contextual cues (presence of company and mood) and state body dissatisfaction varied as a function of individual differences in key trait measures (body shame, body surveillance tendencies, internalization of appearance standards, and trait affect) which have been linked to trait body dissatisfaction. Fifty-five undergraduate women completed a questionnaire containing the trait-based measures and then carried a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) for a 7-day period. The PDA prompted participants six times daily to self-report their current mood and state body dissatisfaction. Multi-level modeling revealed that individual differences in body shame predicted inter-individual variability in the strength of the relationships between presence of company and state body dissatisfaction, and positive mood and state body dissatisfaction. Trait positive affect also explained variance in the positive mood state-body dissatisfaction relationship. The implications of the findings for prevention of body image disturbances are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study on the identification of proportion and type of depressive and related mental health disorders in people who are seeking outpatient treatment for substance abuse. The researchers used the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to assess mental disorders and provide diagnoses based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The found that primary care practitioners need to consider assessment for anxiety and depressive disorders.

Summary: Background: The current study was designed to evaluate a screening process for alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems with clients presenting with mental health (MH) issues at an emergency department (ED) at an urban hospital. Method: In total, 145 ED clients were referred for MH issues. Of these, 53 were screened for AOD problems using an initial screen of two questions. Those identified as being at-risk on the initial screen were given a more detailed AOD screen. Fifty-three percent were found to be over the risk threshold indicating substance abuse or dependence problems. The response of nine clinicians and managers to the screening process was also evaluated. Results: The results demonstrate the clinical utility of a two item, followed by a further eight item screen to detect AOD problems. There was also a high level of acceptance among managers of this screening process. Discussion: The implication of these findings for the management of clients with MH problems and comorbid AOD problems are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Body dissatisfaction and body image disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent in developing non-Western countries such as China, but there is a lack of research examining the sociocultural factors that in other contexts have been associated with these problems. The current study investigated body dissatisfaction, engagement in body change behaviors, and sociocultural pressures on body image, and the relationships between these variables among 517 adolescent males (N =219) and females (N =298) in China. Females reported greater body dissatisfaction than males, and males reported using strategies to increase their muscle bulk more often than females. Males reported pressure from a variety of sociocultural sources to increase their muscles or weight, while females reported pressure from the media to lose weight. For males body dissatisfaction was predicted by pressure from peers to increase their muscle bulk, while for females pressure to lose weight from peers, adult relatives, and the media was likely to increase body dissatisfaction. Pressure from the media and adult relatives was also predictive of body change behaviors in both males and females. The findings are discussed in relation to previous research in both Western and non-Western contexts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a healthy body image program. In total, 421 adolescent boys completed a five-session intervention program or a wait list control group. There were no differences between the intervention and the control group at post-intervention or any of the follow-up times. Boys in the intervention group who were one standard deviation above the mean on body dissatisfaction at baseline, demonstrated a reduction in negative affect in the intervention group at post-test and 6 months follow-up. Prevention programs need to target boys who are at risk of adopting health risk behaviors, rather than being universally applied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The current study was designed to investigate the body image and body change strategies of adolescents from Fiji, Tonga and Australia. Participants were 628 Fijians, 463 Indo-Fijians, 598 Tongans and 535 European Australians. Adolescents completed measures of height, weight, body dissatisfaction, strategies to lose weight, increase weight and increase muscles. The results demonstrated that overweight adolescents were more dissatisfied with their bodies than those who were normal weight. Overweight Fijians and Tongans were more satisfied with their body than Indo-Fijian or Australian adolescents. Tongans, followed by Fijians and Indo-Fijians, were more likely to engage in strategies to lose weight, increase weight and increase muscles. These results are consistent with the focus in Fiji and Tonga on the value of the large body ideal, but may also reflect the recent focus on the attainment of a healthy body size. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: Individual clinical interviews are typically viewed as the "gold standard" when diagnosing major depressive disorder (MDD) and when examining the validity of self-rated questionnaires. However, this approach may be problematic with older people, who are known to underreport depressive syinptomatology. This study examined the effect of including an informant interview on prevalence estimations of MDD in an aged-care sample. Design The results of an individual clinical interview for MDD were compared with those obtained when an informant interview was incoiporated into the assessment. Results from each diagnostic approach were compared with scores on a self-rated depression instrument. Setting: Low-level aged-care residential facilities in Melbourne (equivalent to "residential homes," "homes for the elderly, "or "assisted livingfacilities" in other countries). Participants: One hundred and sixty-eight aged-care residents (mean age: 84 68 years; SD: 6.16years) with normal cognitive functioning. Measurements: Individual clinical interviews were conducted using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Axis I Disorders. This interview was modefied for use with staff informants. Self-reported depression was measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15). Results: The estimated point prevalence of MDD rose from 16% to 22% by including an informant clinical interview in the diagnostic procedure. Overall, 27% of depressed residents failed to disclose symptoms in the clinical interview. The concordance of the CDS-15 with a diagnosis ofMDD was substantially lower when an informant source was included in the diagnostic procedure. Condusion: Individual interviews and self-report questionnaires may be insufficient to detect depression among older adults. This study supports the use of an informant interview as an adjunct when diagnosing MDD among cognitively intact aged-care residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Little research on body dissatisfaction and body change behaviors, and the sociocultural influences on them, has been undertaken in non-Western contexts. The current study investigated these variables and the relationships between them among a sample of 529 Malaysian high school students (103 Malays, 344 Chinese and 82 Indians), who completed a set of measures in classroom settings. Chinese girls were more dissatisfied with their bodies than Chinese boys, but no gender difference was found for Malay and Indian participants. Girls were more likely to engage in behaviors to lose weight, and boys were more likely to engage in behaviors to increase muscle. The influence of sociocultural factors on body dissatisfaction and body change behaviors was limited and varied across both sex and ethnicity. Findings are discussed in relation to Western research, and it is concluded that cultural nuances need to be considered when investigating these phenomena. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: With interest in body image and body change behaviors growing around the world, there has been surprisingly little research conducted in Latin America on these issues. In order to gain some understanding of them in this context, this study investigated body image and body change behaviors, and the sociocultural factors that may influence them, among 337 Chilean adolescents aged 12–18 years. Participants completed a questionnaire that assessed BMI, body dissatisfaction, strategies to lose weight and strategies to increase muscle bulk. In addition, perceived pressure from family, peers, and the media to change body shape was evaluated. Results were partially consistent with those reported in Western nations. Girls were found to report greater body dissatisfaction than boys, but no difference was found between males and females in perceived pressure from adults in the family or from older siblings/cousins to lose weight. However, girls experienced higher levels of perceived pressure to lose weight from the media than boys, and boys reported greater perceived pressure from peers to lose weight than girls, and more pressure than girls from all sources to increase muscle bulk. These findings are discussed in relation to research conducted in other contexts, and it is concluded that findings from other locations may not be applied universally. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The current study was conducted to investigate the relationships between body size estimations and disordered eating symptomatology. The method of constant stimuli was used to derive three measures of self-perceived body size in 93 women: (1) accuracy of body size estimations (body image distortion); (2) sensitivity in discriminating body size within blocks of trials (body image sensitivity); and (3) variability in making body size estimations between blocks of trials (body image variability). Participants also completed measures of disordered eating. Although body image distortion correlated with dietary restraint and eating concern, body image variability accounted for additional variance in these variables, as well as variance in binge eating. The relationships involving body image variability were found to be mediated by body dissatisfaction and internalization of the thin ideal. Together, these results are consistent with the proposition that body image variability is a significant factor in disordered eating. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The desire for muscularity is tied to Western views of the male gender role, which prescribe that men be strong, physically fit and athletically successful. Although, these ideals have been primarily studied among Western adolescent boys, there is emerging evidence that the same ideals are valued and promoted among males from the Pacific Islands. The aim of the present study was to examine body image concerns associated with muscularity and the reasons for these concerns among Fijian and Tongan adolescent boys. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 Indigenous Fijian, 24 Indo-Fijian, and 24 Tongan boys aged between 13 and 20 years. A thematic analysis of boys’ narratives showed that the pursuit of muscularity was a dominant theme for many boys. Boys’ reasons for pursing muscularity included the attainment of strength and fitness, sporting performance, physical work, dominance, and health. These findings are examined in relation to previous research with Western adolescent boys. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Research on body image has primarily been conducted among Western women who highly value the thin ideal body size. There has been limited research that has examined body image attitudes among Fijian adolescent girls who are exposed to both traditional sociocultural pressures that promote a larger body size and Western pressures that promote slimness. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews, we examined the factors associated with body image attitudes and concerns among a sample of 16 indigenous Fijian and 16 European Australian adolescent girls aged between 13–18 years. An inductive analysis of girls’ responses indicated that both groups of girls experienced body image concerns including body dissatisfaction, a preference for thinness and concerns associated with weight gain. These findings have implications for our understanding of the role of culture in shaping body image among girls and may prove useful in the development of future survey research that can be implemented among both Fijian and Western adolescents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Thirty-one parents with multiple sclerosis (MS) participated in a study to investigate the adjustment of their children, 24 boys and 24 girls aged 4 to 16 years. The majority of parents believed that their illness had an effect on their children. The perception of parents regarding their children's problems in the areas of emotions, concentration, behavior, or social interactions indicated that the children were at three times greater risk than the general community of developing psychological problems. In contrast, actual symptom scores reported by parents revealed that, although these children were at greater risk than the general community of developing peer problems, little difference was found on hyperactivity, emotional symptoms, conduct problems, or total difficulties. Parental negative affect predicted both parental reports of peer problems and perceptions that the parents' illness had an effect on their children. Parental relationship satisfaction and family income did not predict parental reports of children's level of adjustment. These results indicate that children of parents with MS demonstrate more difficulties in how they relate to others, the distress they experience, and how they manage their lives, rather than revealing higher levels of symptoms. Since the data were based on parental reports of their children's problems, the results may also be due to negative affect among the parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study evaluated factors related to the perceptual disturbances of body image. Using a digital body image computer program, 191 participants (107 women, 82 men) adjusted an image of their body to the perceived actual size at five body regions; chest, waist, hips, thighs and calves. A neutral object (a vase) was also adjusted to partial out the level of perceptual distortion present with a neutral object. Men and women overestimated the size of the neutral object and their body image. Among women, overestimation was primarily predicted by high levels of depression, and media and peer influences to be thinner and increase muscles. Among men, overestimation was predicted by high BMI, media influences to lose weight and increase muscles, and peer influences to increase muscles. These findings suggest that perceptual accuracy of body image is primarily predicted by biopsychosocial influences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Society provides messages about how people should ideally look and previous research has indicated these messages, both the actual messages provided and the perception of the message, influence body image. Research into male body image has shown males are concerned with having a lean and muscular body and as such, may want to decrease fat and increase their muscles. This paper explored the influence of a range of messages from parents, peers, and the media on a number of different measures of 362 adolescent boys’ body image and body change strategies. Specifically, messages about shape, food, exercise, losing weight and increasing muscles were explored in relation to satisfaction with weight and muscles, and the use of strategies to decrease weight and increase muscles. The findings indicated that parental messages were the strongest influence on body image and that parents, the media, and to a lesser extent messages from male friends were the strongest predictors of body change strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Despite their elevated risk of health problems and a propensity to be more overweight or underweight relative to the other members of the Australian population, there has been no previous investigation of body image concerns among Indigenous Australians. In this study we investigated the level of body image importance and body image dissatisfaction among 19 rural Indigenous adolescents (7 males, 12 females) and 28 urban Indigenous adolescents (15 males and 13 females). Our hypotheses that there would be gender differences in body image importance and body image satisfaction were not generally supported. However, males placed more importance on muscle size and strength than females, and rural participants placed more importance on weight than urban participants. Comparison to existing data obtained from Caucasian adolescents suggested that Indigenous youth may be less concerned and dissatisfied with body weight and shape. These results are discussed in relation to findings from studies of non-Indigenous adolescents, and Indigenous health issues. The limitations of the current study and the need for further studies are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]