Sex Role Identity and Adjustment during Adolescence

Abstract

MASSAD, CHRISTOPHER M. Sex Role Identity and Adjustment during Adolescence. CmLD DEVELOPMENT, 1981, 52, 1290-1298. This study examined the relationship between sex role identity and two measures of adjustment, self-acceptance and peer acceptance, during adolescence. Results showed that, among males masculinity, but not femininity, was positively associated with self-acceptance and peer acceptance. Among females, both masculinity and femininity were positively associated with self-acceptance; a balance between levels of masculinity and femininity, especially high levels of both, was associated with high peer acceptance. Thus, androgyny was associated with better adjustment than traditional sex typing among females, but not males; and traditional sex typing was associated with better adjustment than cross-sex typing among males, but not females. Examination of the friendship, romantic, and schoolrelated components of peer ratings revealed minor variations in the relationship between sex role identity and peer acceptance as a function of the type of activity involved. The major finding, that the relationship between sex role identity and adjustment varied between the sexes, suggested that a model of the value of sex role differentiation during adolescence must recognize that males and females experience differential pressure to conform to sex role stereotypes.