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The ethic of care: stability over time, gender differences, and correlates in mid- to late adulthood
E E Skoe1, M W Pratt, M Matthews
1Department of Psychology, University of Tromsø, Norway. evas@psyk.uit.no
Abstract:
This article examines the development of Gilligan's care ethic and its correlates in mature adults. Two studies showed that women scored significantly higher on the Ethic of Care Interview (ECI) than did men. More women than men generated interpersonal real-life dilemmas, and more men than women generated impersonal ones. In Study 2, longitudinal data indicated that care levels were moderately stable in mid- to late adulthood. The ECI was negatively related to authoritarianism and positively related to justice levels, role taking, and cognitive complexity. People scoring higher in care also felt more positively about their physical health and experience of aging. These results support the construct validity of the ECI and point to its potential role in adults' personal adaptation.