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Does gender identity influence children's psychological well-being?
Jennifer L Yunger1, Priscilla R Carver, David G Perry
1Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA.
Developmental Psychology
|July 9, 2004
Summary
Gender identity influences preadolescent adjustment. Feeling less typical or content with gender, or high pressure to conform, negatively impacts adjustment over time, especially internalizing problems.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Gender Studies
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Understanding the developmental trajectory of gender identity in preadolescence is crucial.
- Previous research has often treated gender identity as a singular construct, potentially overlooking nuanced influences on adjustment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how multifaceted aspects of gender identity influence changes in preadolescent adjustment over two years.
- To investigate the specific roles of felt gender typicality, gender contentment, and gender conformity pressure.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design collecting data over two successive years.
- Utilized three measures of gender identity (typicality, contentment, conformity pressure) and four adjustment measures (self-esteem, internalizing/externalizing symptoms, peer acceptance).
Main Results:
- Low gender typicality and contentment, along with high conformity pressure, predicted declines in adjustment across multiple domains.
- A combination of low gender typicality and high conformity pressure was particularly linked to increased internalizing problems.
Conclusions:
- Gender identity is a multidimensional construct significantly impacting preadolescent adjustment.
- The cognitive interplay between gender typicality and conformity pressure is critical for understanding internalizing symptoms.
- A multidimensional approach is essential for a comprehensive understanding of gender identity's influence on child development.