ADOLESCENT FEMALE IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT

The purpose of this study was to (a) add to the current literature on female identity development and (b) determine whether a gender specifi c pattern of identity formation is evident in females during their ear ly and middle adolescent years. The Measures of Psychosocial Developme nt (MPD) was administered by graduate students to 317 males and 332 fe males in sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades from schools in a sm all and a mid-sized mid-western city. The schools were selected becaus e they were representative of the racial/ethnic status of the cities ( African American, 12%, Asian American 4%, European, 63%, Latino 10%, a nd Native American 6%; 5% did not state their ethnicity). The results of the two by four analyses of variance (gender by grade) indicated th at females blend interpersonal and intrapersonal identity development, whereas males appear to develop only intrapersonal identity. Limitati ons and recommendations for future research are also included.