Changes in representation of body image as a function of menarcheal status.

Koff, Elissa; Rierdan, Jill; Silverstone, Esther

doi:10.1037/0012-1649.14.6.635

Cited by 67 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…However, there was also evidence to the contrary. Koff, Rierdan, and Silverstone found that after menarche there was a reorganization of body image, that is, an increase in identification with mature femininity 23 . These investigators interpreted this finding as evidence that menarche had a positive impact on the development of identity, contrary to the view of menarche as a traumatic developmental event.…”

Section: Overview Of Past Researchmentioning

confidence: 98%

Cultural Perceptions and Practices around Menarche and Adolescent Menstruation in the United States

Stubbs

2008

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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This overview details the persistence of negative characterizations of the menstrual cycle as a feature of the current cultural context in which girls begin menstrual life in the United States. In addition, research on girls' current menstrual attitudes and experiences within this context are reviewed. Current research suggests that girls are not very knowledgeable about menstruation, and that menstrual education continues to provide girls with mixed messages, such as: menstruation is a normal, natural event, but it should be hidden. Girls' attitudes and expectations about menstruation are negatively biased and have been found to contribute to self-objectification, body shame, and lack of agency in sexual decision-making. Although preparation has been found to be associated with more positive menarcheal and menstrual experiences, specificity about what constitutes "good" preparation has not been well articulated. Implications for promoting the menstrual cycle among young girls as a vital sign in service of monitoring their health are discussed.

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Section: Overview Of Past Researchmentioning

confidence: 98%

Cultural Perceptions and Practices around Menarche and Adolescent Menstruation in the United States

Stubbs

2008

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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“…For the female adolescent, it is a sharply defined, sudden, and distinct biological event (Golub, 1992;Koff, Rierdan, & Silverstone, 1978). Menarche is also a sociocultural event that is shaped and constructed by cultural institutions such as religion, science, and media (e.g., Chandra & Chaturvedi, 1992;Laws, 1990;Paige & Paige, 1981).…”

Section: Women's Menarche Stories From a Multicultural Samplementioning

confidence: 99%

Women's menarche stories from a multicultural sample

Üskül

2004

Social Science & Medicine

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This paper reports on the findings of a focus group study that examines how women have experienced menarche at the personal level and in relation to the larger cultural, religious, and societal environment. Fifty-three women from 34 different countries were recruited in 13 focus groups. On the one hand, at the personal level, menarche stories shared in this study revealed salient themes concerning feelings experienced at the time of menarche, the importance of mother's reactions to their daughter's first menstruation, difficulties around understanding the meanings attached to menarche by others, managing menstrual products, as well as making sense of formal education related to menstruation, and finally the age of menarche. On the other hand, the discussions concerning how women experienced menarche in relation to the larger cultural, religious, and societal environment revealed secrecy to be a defining feature of many stories.Cultural expectations of learning and following the rules and regulations surrounding menstruation led to different reactions in women at the time of their menarche. Very few women mentioned a ritual or celebration at the time of their menarche. Findings are discussed in terms of similarities and differences in menarche stories of women from different cultural backgrounds.Limitations of the study are mentioned and suggestions for future research are provided.Key words: menarche, culture, focus groups Women's Menarche Stories 3 Women's Menarche Stories from a Multicultural SampleMenarche, the onset of the first menses, is a significant milestone in a woman's life and reproductive cycle. For the female adolescent, it is a sharply defined, sudden, and distinct biological event (Golub, 1992;Koff, Rierdan, & Silverstone, 1978). Menarche is also a sociocultural event that is shaped and constructed by cultural institutions such as religion, science, and media (e.g., Chandra & Chaturvedi, 1992;Laws, 1990;Paige & Paige, 1981).In psychology, menarche has attracted researchers' attention, especially during 1970's and 1980's. Current studies on menarche are sparse, but a few recent publications on this topic may indicate re-emerging interest in this topic (e.g., Beausang & Razor, 2000;Chrisler & Zittel, 1998;Kissling, 2002). Menarche studies in psychology were typically examined the experience among young female adolescents or college students in North America. Although a few studies have looked at cultural similarities or differences in women's menarche experiences, it is usually in the area of anthropology where we find cross-cultural studies. This particular study was designed to contribute to the slowly growing cross-cultural psychology literature on women's menarche experiences. The goal was to hear and record menarche stories of women from different cultural backgrounds, and thereby to explore salient themes that emerge in their menarche experiences. The study then draws upon these accounts to analyze the effects of the larger cultural, religious, and societal environment on personal exp...

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“…It is the most accurately recalled pubertal stage measured among girls (Cole 2003). Moreover, menarche is a crucial time for young girls to reconstruct body image and female identity (Koff et al 1978). Age at menarche is an important indicator of pubertal development in females (Cameron and Nagdee 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%