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Women's 'inner-balance': a comparison of stressors, personality traits and health problems by age groups The purposes of this descriptive study were to identify differences in women's stressors, personality mediating traits and symptoms of health problems by age groups, and to guide revisions for development of a shorter, reliable questionnaire to measure women's health and risks for stress-related illnesses. A convenience sample of 299 women aged between 18 and 66 years who resided in the south-western United States and could read English completed a lengthy questionnaire. ANOVAs were used to compare women by three age groups. Young women (18-29 years) reported high stressors, less healthy personality traits, and significantly more physical and emotional symptoms of health problems than middle-age and older women. Middle-age women (30-45 years) had significantly more stressors than other women, but their healthy personality traits may have contributed to fewer health problems. Older women (46-66 years) had the fewest stressors, highest healthy personality traits, and fewest symptoms of problems compared to other age groups. In their roles and relationships as wives, mothers and employees, women experienced multiple stressors such as inadequate physical and emotional support from their spouse/partner, along with parenting and employee difficulties that contributed to their health problems. Young and middle-aged women were more stressed, juggling the multiple responsibilities and demands of their spouse, children, ageing parents, and their occupation, while trying to maintain their own 'inner balance'.

In recent years, an increasing number of lesbian women have chosen to bear children. However, for lesbians, there are many obstacles and unique dilemmas during each phase of the childbearing process. Some of these dilemmas include how to conceive, where to find a health care provider who is sensitive to their concerns, and how to inform family members and friends about the pregnancy and elicit their support. Other dilemmas common to all women are where to give birth and how to assimilate new roles into their life and work. This article describes the potential dilemmas of lesbians during childbearing, with the aim of increasing health care providers' awareness of and sensitivity to the perinatal concerns of lesbian women.

Reviews of the literature indicate a shift in the way consumers and health care providers define health. If these groups hold different views of health, consumers may not adhere to medical regimens or follow health promotion advice. This pilot study was designed to compare consumer's views of health with two current conceptual models. Sixty-five adults completed a questionnaire with 34 definitions of health in 12 categories. The analyses revealed that adults rated the self-concept, fitness and role performance categories as the strongest indicators of health. Also, there were significant gender and educational differences. Women were more likely than men to view social involvement and harmony as health indicators. Three categories, namely body image, fitness and self-actualization, were significantly different between educational groups. The findings are discussed in relation to two models of health and implications for nursing practice and research.

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