The Impact of Sex-Role Orientation on Self-Esteem in Early Adolescence

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship between sex-role orientation and self-esteem in early adolescence. 119 junior high school students completed the Rosenberg self-esteem measure and 2 measures of sex-role orientation the Bem Sex Role Inventory and the Personal Attributes Questionnaire. Results indicated that masculine and androgynous individuals had higher levels of self-esteem than feminine and undifferentiated individuals. When the independent contributions of masculinity and femininity to self-esteem were assessed only masculinity significantly predicted self-esteem. Analyses also revealed that the effect of sex-role orientation on self-esteem was greater for females than males. Implications of these findings for theories of androgyny and sex-role development are discussed. (authors)