A Dual Identity Approach for Conceptualizing and Measuring Children's Gender Identity

Carol Martin, Naomi C Z Andrews, Dawn e. England, Kristina Zosuls, Diane N. Ruble

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

97 Scopus citations

Abstract

The goal was to test a new dual identity perspective on gender identity by asking children (n = 467) in three grades (Mage = 5.7, 7.6, 9.5) to consider the relation of the self to both boys and girls. This change shifted the conceptualization of gender identity from one to two dimensions, provided insights into the meaning and measurement of gender identity, and allowed for revisiting ideas about the roles of gender identity in adjustment. Using a graphical measure to allow assessment of identity in young children and cluster analyses to determine types of identity, it was found that individual and developmental differences in how similar children feel to both genders, and these variations matter for many important personal and social outcomes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)167-182
Number of pages16
JournalChild development
Volume88
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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