Clothing Options Research Articles

Primary Goals for Weight Loss Questionnaire (PGWLQ): Development and Psychometric Evaluation in Overweight and Obese Adults

AbstractCognitive behavioural models suggest that individuals abandon their weight loss efforts because they fail to achieve their weight loss goal, their perceived benefits of weight loss (primary goals), or both. There are currently no published tools available to adequately measure primary goals. The purpose of the current study was to explore the factor structure and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Primary Goals for Weight Loss Questionnaire (PGWLQ). One hundred and twenty-seven overweight and obese adult females actively trying to lose weight completed the PGWLQ. A four-factor solution (Comfort & Mobility; Fitness; Health & Illness; Participation & Activity) provided the best fit for the physical items, and a five-factor solution (Body Image & Self-esteem; Clothing Options & Fashion; Work Productivity & Opportunity; Social Life & Desirability; Sexual Confidence) provided the best fit for the psychosocial items. All PGWLQ factors demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity. The PGWLQ demonstrated excellent internal consistency and weak to moderate test–retest reliability. Results of the present study suggest that the PGWLQ may be a promising research and clinical tool and further refinement of the PGWLQ and investigation of its factor structure is warranted.

What Drives Cultural Differences in Deference to Authorities? Internalized Goals Versus Injunctive Norms

We examine the claim that acting deferentially in the presence of authority figures is more pervasive in Indian than in Western cultures, and explore two psychological mechanisms for this cultural difference: internalized goals and injunctive norms. Study 1 found that after reflecting upon an authority’s expectations, Indians but not Americans accommodate in their clothing choices but not in their evaluations of various clothing options. Study 2 found that merely activating the concept of authority figures, without highlighting specific expectations, was sufficient to influence Indians’ choices of various courses but not their evaluations. Examining a more basic distinction underlying internalized goals vs. injunctive norms, Study 3 found that authority primes influenced Indians’ ratings of what they should do but not what they want to do. Study 4 found that the effect of explicit authority primes did not increase after brief delays, thus inconsistent with the internalized goal mechanism. However, participants who were less likely to accommodate to the salient authority experienced more guilt across delay conditions, thus supporting the injunctive norms mechanism. The findings suggest that manipulating injunctive norms, rather than personal values, can be a means for inducing or eliminating deferential behaviors in Indian settings.

Bat wings, bunions, and turkey wattles: body transgressions and older women's strategic clothing choices

ABSTRACTThis paper examines older women's experiences and perceptions of clothing prescriptions for adults in later life. Using data from in-depth interviews with 36 women aged 71 to 93 years, we investigate the stringent, taken-for-granted social norms that older women identified with respect to appropriate fashion for the ageing female body. Specifically, the participants argued that older women should refrain from wearing bright colours and revealing or overly suggestive styles. Expressing a preference for classic or traditional styles, the women also reported that they used clothing strategically to mask or compensate for bodily transgressions that had occurred over time as a result of the physical realities of ageing, including weight gain, altered body shapes, wrinkles and sagging or ‘flabby’ arms and necks, referred to respectively as ‘bat wings’ and ‘turkey wattles’. In addition, the women contended that they consciously chose their clothing styles to compensate for age-related health issues and/or to present a competent, healthy self to others. Finally, the women talked about the ways in which their clothing choices were influenced by their changing lifestyles and constrained by a lack of desirable and affordable clothing options for the older female body. The findings are discussed in the light of Erving Goffman's concept of stigma and contemporary theorising about ageing, ageism, beauty work and the body.

Comparison of Methods for Selecting Personal Protective Equipment for Arc Flash Hazards

In 1960, a large global chemical company began documenting and implementing requirements for preventing injuries from electric arc flash hazards, including appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Methods evolved from requiring a 100% natural fiber long-sleeve shirt for a specific task to a detailed analysis with multiple flame-resistant clothing options. This paper compares the PPE required by these methods, based on hazards analysis in more than 65 manufacturing and laboratory facilities. The total costs for the example company are estimated for each method.

Barrier Properties of Thermoplastic Elastomer Films

Abstract One application of barrier materials is chemical protective clothing. A variety of chemical protective clothing options are currently available, but many of the barrier materials combine good fluid resistance with high resistance to moisture vapor transport. This generates heat stress to the wearer. For certain applications it is desirable to find materials which are elastic, easy to process, and comfortable to use, while still having good fluid resistance. Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) represent a developing family of materials that may provide an answer to those requirements, but have not been thoroughly investigated for this application. In this work, commercially available thermoplastic elastomers and their blends were evaluated. Film samples were prepared by either extrusion or compression molding, and their barrier properties evaluated in terms of water vapor transmission, fluid vapor transmission, and fluid absorption. Films prepared from a polyester TPE showed the highest water vapor transport. Blends of the polyester TPE with more fluid resistant TPEs offered protection with enhanced water vapor transport. These results indicate that blends of TPEs can be tailored to offer fluid/vapor protection with significant improvements in water vapor transmission. For some fluids these materials offer even better protection, with enhanced water vapor transmission, than currently available materials.