Revisiting Feminist Identity Development Theory, Research, and Practice

Abstract

The model of feminist identity development proposed by Downing and Roush in 1985 is revisited as a potentially useful framework in counseling psychology theory, research, and practice. An examination of the historical context from which the model arose illustrates how it advanced theory in the psychology of women. A critical review of the extant empirical literature is generally supportive of the model's original tenets and is indicative of its promise for application to practice. However; measurement and methodological concerns point to the need for more research, especially on the model's relevance to more diverse populations. Recent social and scientific advances inform future directions for theory, research, and practice.