‘A new view of body image’: A school-based participatory action research project with young Aboriginal women

Abstract

Research continues to suggest that young women experience body image concerns; nevertheless, the majority of this body image research has focused on white women, and the experiences of young Aboriginal women have typically been overlooked.When research has included Aboriginal women, it has generally been quantitative in nature (e.g., Gittelsohn et al., 1996;Marchessault, 2004;Story et al., 1995) and has highlighted body dissatisfaction that is equal to and even greater than that experienced by white women. Despite the alarming statistics suggesting that body image concerns are common among Aboriginal women, few researchers have engaged young Aboriginal women in qualitative research projects that seek to highlight their unique experiences. In an effort to develop relationships with school community members, during the Relationship Building phase I engaged in the three general processes of: familiarization, making connections, and giving back to the school. My commitment to these processes supported my initial goal to develop trusting relationships with community members, which subsequently formed a strong foundation for the development of effective and successful action initiatives. Eight action initiatives, which were represented by three themes, were developed and implemented as part of the Action phase. The three themes were: (1) Promoting Positive Body Image Experiences, (2) Self-Expression, and (3) Creating Awareness.The development and implementation of action at various levels (i.e., individual, school, provincial, and national) was the most significant outcome of this research. The success and relevance of the various action initiatives was demonstrated by the words of the participants, the overall support of various school members, and the commitment of the core group to the goals of this PAR project. Although there were methodological challenges and considerations that needed to be navigated throughout this PAR project, findings from this research suggest that universities and local high schools can and should work together to develop school-based body image programs for young Aboriginal women. As well, and maybe most importantly, this research highlights the strength of using PAR methodologies when engaging young Aboriginal women in body image research.iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Developing sport-based after-school programmes using a participatory action research approach

“…Such participatory approaches are appropriate when researchers seek to understand the experiences of those involved, affected by or excluded from various forms of sport and physical activity (Frisby et al 1997(Frisby et al , 2005. Bostock and Freeman 2003, Oliver et al 2009, McHugh and Kowalski 2011, Enright and O'Sullivan 2012. Bostock and Freeman 2003, Oliver et al 2009, McHugh and Kowalski 2011, Enright and O'Sullivan 2012.…”

Agir avec les jeunes femmes de la rue pour une praxis de l’intersectionnalité — Réflexion autour du projet PARVIS1 2

“…Il s'agit de trouver de concert avec les participantes et participants des solutions locales à un problème social, par l'adoption de nouvelles pratiques individuelles et collectives (Ozanne et Saatcioglu, 2007). Elle permet de poser des questions de recherche orientées vers une action et des stratégies (McHugh et Kowalski, 2011). Aussi, la RAP se démarque par son rejet de la division habituelle entre la théorie et la pratique (Ozanne et Saatcioglu, 2007).…”

“…Plusieurs chercheures et chercheurs ont utilisé la RAP auprès des jeunes en contexte de mixité femmes-hommes (Flicker, et collab., 2008;Harper et Carver, 1999;McHugh et Kowalski, 2011;McIntyre, 2000;MacDonald, et collab., 2011;Ozer, Ritterman et Wanis, 2010). Les jeunes étant considérés comme des experts de leur propre expérience, ils deviennent producteurs de connaissances, ce qui les propulse dans un rôle d'agent de changement social (Flicker, et collab., 2008).…”

É tempo de se cuidar mais": pesquisa-ação para promover a saúde da mulher no climatério

“…Para assegurar que a informação produzida pelo estudo refletisse de forma fidedigna as diferentes perspectivas das participantes, as mulheres foram consultadas, em diversos momentos do processo de PA, no sentido de verificar se suas perspectivas estavam sendo adequadamente representadas (McHugh, 2008).…”

“…Além disso, outra possível limitação deste estudo diz respeito ao processo de escrita desta tese, em face da carência de trabalhos, na literatura científica, que orientem o pesquisador nesse sentido (McHugh, 2008). De acordo com Gibbon (2002, p. 555), "o processo de pesquisa-ação não é linear, o que dificulta que seja reportado de uma maneira convencional".…”