Feminist theorists have suggested that feminism provides a number of benefits for women, particularly regarding self‐evaluations. However, most studies have conflated feminist attitudes and feminist identity. The main goal of this study was to assess the differential relationships of feminist attitudes and feminist identity to self‐efficacy. Four hundred thirty‐five students were surveyed at the beginning and end of their women's and gender studies (WGS) classes. In general, feminist attitudes and feminist identity were related to self‐efficacy variables at pretest and to change in these variables over time. Feminist identity partially mediated the relationship between feminist attitudes and self‐efficacy. Additionally, the results of this study generally support previous findings regarding the effect of WGS classes on students' feminist attitudes, feminist identity, and self‐efficacy. Implications of these findings for the importance of feminist identity are discussed.
A questionnaire was distributed at the American Association of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome's biannual convention in Washington in January 2001 as well as through various Internet Web sites and listserves during early February and March of 2001. The sample consisted of 432 respondents. Most respondents (86%) indicated they wanted a name change, although more patients than scientists were in favor of this change. It was also apparent that the patients and physicians were clearly split between adopting a name such as myalgic encephalopathy versus one such as neuro-endocrine immune disorder. Also, among those respondents who selected either of these two choices for a new name, less than 30% of them supported the other name. Although the majority of respondents feel the name should be changed at this time, this survey suggests there are different stakeholders involved in the name-change process, each with strong and sometimes disparate feelings about changing the name.
Over 500 Centers for Independent Living exist internationally. Centers for Independent Living are community-based, empowerment-oriented organizations that provide advocacy and linkage to resources for individuals with a wide range of disabilities. Historically, people with invisible disabilities such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have not made extensive use of Centers for Independent Living, and have not been formally introduced to the independent living philosophy. Conversely, Centers for Independent Living have encountered difficulty outreaching to and serving individuals with CFS, and have not been adequately informed about their resource needs and entitlements. The purpose of this study was to assess attitudes and knowledge about chronic fatigue syndrome among staff members of a Center for Independent Living before and after an educational intervention designed to raise awareness about CFS and provide guidance about the resource needs and entitlements of the CFS population. Before the intervention, over half (62%) of the staff members regarded CFS as having a biological cause, most considered CFS as a severe or very severe condition (76%), and most (74%) were of the opinion that an empowerment-oriented, independent living philosophy would benefit individuals with CFS. As a result of the intervention, all (100%) respondents either gained increased factual information about CFS, increased empathy toward individuals with CFS, or increased general awareness of CFS. Most (67%) respondents reported that the intervention changed their prior level of awareness of CFS, empathy toward those with CFS, or awareness of the medical legitimacy of CFS. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of their relevance for community-based alternatives to health care for individuals with emergent disabilities in the 21st century.
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