Abstract
Introduction: The present article describes two interrelated studies that examine gender typicality in young adulthood using a new dual-identity approach. Methods: Participants were recruited online from March 2020 to February 2021 and reported their perceived similarity to own- and other-gender peers as a way to assess their gender typicality. In study 1, the authors conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test and validate the Perceived Similarity to Gender Groups Scale in a sample of Italian young adults (n = 571; Mage = 23.9; SD = 3.60). The authors documented the configural, metric, scalar measurement invariance, and validity. In study 2, the Perceived Similarity to Gender Groups Scale adopted in study 1 was used to assess the distribution of different typologies of gender typicality in another sample of Italian young adults who vary in gender and sexual orientation (n = 1126; Mage = 24.3; SD = 3.51). Results: Results confirmed the structural validity of the Perceived Similarity to Gender Groups Scale, revealing the two-factor structure of the scale. Moreover, results of cluster analysis found different typologies of self-perceptions of gender typicality. Conclusion: Both studies emphasize the relevance of studying gender typicality in young adulthood through a dual-identity approach, highlighting the relevance of gender and sexual orientations. Policy Implications: The use of the dual-identity approach has significant social and clinical implications as it represents a more flexible and representative model of the complexity of gender typicality.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1270-1284 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Sexuality Research and Social Policy |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2022 |
Keywords
- Dual identity
- Gender development
- Gender similarity
- Gender typicality
- Sexual orientation
- Young adulthood
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gender Studies
- Health(social science)
- Sociology and Political Science