Sharon K. Hall

Children's gender-related self-perceptions, activity preferences, and occupational stereotypes: A test of three models of gender constructs

Fourth through sixth grade boys (n= 197) and girls (n= 271) were given a simplified form of the Personal Attributes Questionnaire [J. T. Spence and R. L. Helmreich (1978b) The Intermediate Personal Attributes Questionnaire: A Simplified Version for Children and Adults, unpublished manuscript, Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin], assessing desirable instrumental and expressive traits; subsets of items from J. P. Boldizars [(1991) “Assessing Sex Typing and Androgyny in Children: The Childrens Sex Role Inventory,” Developmental Psychology,Vol. 27, pp. 505–513] childrens version of the Bem Sex Role Inventory [S. L. Bem (1974) “The Measurement of Psychological Androgyny,” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 42, 155–162]; S. L. Harters [(1985) Manual for the Self-Perception Profile for Children, Denver: University of Denver] measures of self-esteem; and measures of masculine and feminine activity preferences and prescriptive occupational stereotypes. The children were predominantly white and from middle-class backgrounds. The correlations among the gender-related measures were more congruent with a multifactorial approach to gender than the unifactorial gender schema model or the two-factor model of masculinity and femininity. Instrumentality, however, was correlated with self-esteem in both genders, a finding most reasonably interpreted in terms of this personality variable per se.

Relationship of body size, body image, and self-esteem in African American, European American, and Mexican American middle-class women.

In this study we examined the influence of ethnicity on weight, body image, and self-esteem among adult women while controlling for socioeconomic status (SES). Fifty women of African American (AA), European American (EA), and Mexican American (MA) descent completed interviews and questionnaires related to body size and self-esteem, and were measured for weight and height. AA women were significantly heavier than EA women, but MA women did not differ materially from either grouping. Regardless of ethnic descent, all reported congruence between real and ideal body size. In addition no differences were found in self-esteem. This new comparative study calls into question variations previously attributed to race or ethnicity. It also provides a view of middle-class women missing from recent research. Based on the outcomes of our research, we suggest that socioeconomic differences could be more important than ethnic background. Health educators and providers may find these data helpful when designing prevention and intervention strategies for middle-class women regardless of their ethnic origin.

Early and Late Stage Adolescence: Adopted Adolescents’ Attachment to Their Heterosexual and Lesbian/Gay Parents

Data were collected on 154 adoptive families with gay/lesbian and straight adoptive parents (154 parent respondents & one randomly chosen adolescent from each family). This study was designed to examine three research questions: 1) Are there differences in adopted adolescent attachment to parents among early (12–15) and late (16–19) adopted adolescents; 2) are there differences in attachment to adoptive parents during early adolescence and late adolescence by parent sexual orientation; and 3) what are the factors (IVs) that contribute to level of adolescent attachment to adoptive parents (DV). The results indicated that early adolescent attachment to parents was significantly stronger than late adolescent attachment to parents. There were no significant differences in early and late adopted adolescent attachment by parents sexual orientation. A Stepwise Regression Model indicated adolescent life satisfaction and parent satisfaction of the relationship with their adopted child were significant predictors of adopted adolescent attachment to parents among this sample of gay/lesbian and heterosexual adoptive parents. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Aging and Creating Families: Never-Married Heterosexual Women Over Forty

ABSTRACT An examination of women over age forty who had never married was conducted. The women completed a structured questionnaire about their aging and their self-esteem was assessed with a standard measure. The participants were women from across the United States. Descriptive analyses of the data were ordered with ecological systems theory and findings revealed that the women are self-satisfied, socially productive and well adjusted with their single status and that singleness runs in their families. These women have defined what family means for them as they age–family of origin and close friendships. This description may be helpful in understanding this group as a social force and as role models for young women as they age.