Females' coping styles and control over poker machine gambling.

An investigation of the relationship between impaired control over gambling, coping strategies, and demographic variables was conducted by surveying female poker machine players (N = 163) in their gaming venues. Metropolitan (n = 14) and regional (n = 6) gaming venues in Victoria, Australia participated. Control over gambling was measured using the Impaired Control Over Gambling Scale (Baron & Dickerson, 1994). Coping strategies were measured using (Folkman et al., 1986) adaptation of the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist (Vitaliano et al., 1985). MANOVA supported the hypothesis that the lower the control over gambling the greater the reliance on emotion-focused coping (blamed self, wishful thinking, avoidance) with F = 9.92, 13.35, 14.04 respectively, all significant at p <.001. MANOVA failed to supported the hypothesis that problem-focused strategies (problem focus, seek social support) would be significantly related to control over gambling with F =.82 and.21 respectively. Control over gambling was not related to age, employment, relationship status, education, or distress from significant life events, further supporting the relationship between control and coping strategies. Ways in which coping styles might be related to pathological gambling are discussed.

Change in role perception, role conflict, and psychological health of working mothers.

A model of the interrelationship among Change in Role Perception, Role Conflict, and Psychological Health of working mothers is introduced. The model posits that Change in Role Perception after the birth of children influences Psychological Health directly or indirectly through Role Conflict. The model was tested with a sample of 192 employed mothers (aged 26-45 years) with at least one child under 11 years of age and who lived in either Melbourne or Canberra, Australia. As expected, scores on Role Conflict predicted all four measures of Psychological Health (Anxiety, Self-esteem, Uptight, and Worn Out). Change in scores on Role Perception predicted Self-esteem and Worn Out. Geographic location predicted scores for Uptight and Worn Out and Occupational Type predicted scores for Worn Out, perhaps due to perceived social support. There are theoretical reasons for maintaining the model's structure. Refinement of methodology, measurement of Change in Role Perception, and possible adoption of a longitudinal approach is recommended. It is concluded that measuring experienced role conflict and change in role perception should be taken into account in any consideration of women's psychological health.

Relationship of body image and creative dance movement.

Findings supporting the proposition that dance movement improves a person's body image have been contradictory. Previous work focussed on styles such as ballet, jazz, and modern dance but it is arguable that creative dance movement, with its less structured approach and absence of predetermined performance standards, will have a positive influence on body image. This study examine scores on the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire of 112 women between 18 and 69 years who had been actively participating in creative dance movement courses for periods ranging from two weeks to 16.5 years. Subjects experienced in creative dance movement were more satisfied with their appearance, fitness, and body parts than subjects with less than five years of experience. Differences in evaluation of health were not clearly established. Given this analysis and the potential for wide-spread clinical use of creative dance movement with people having body-image disturbances, empirical research on the relationship between creative dance movement and body image is warranted.