Gender identity: A multidimensional analysis with implications for psychosocial adjustment

This study examined the relations between components of gender identity and psychosocial adjustment. The aspects of gender identity assessed were (a) feelings of psychological compatibility with one's gender (i.e., feeling on e is a typical member of one's sex and feeling content with one's biologica l sex), (b) feelings of pressure from parents, peers, and self for conformi ty to gender stereotypes, and (c) the sentiment that one's own sex is super ior to the other (intergroup bias). Adjustment was assessed in terms of sel f-esteem and peer acceptance. Participants were 182 children in Grades 4 th rough 8. Felt gender compatibility (when operationalized as either self-per ceived gender typicality or feelings of contentment with one's biological s ex) was positively related to adjustment, whereas felt pressure and intergr oup bias were negatively associated with adjustment. The results provide ne w insights into the role of gender identity in children's well-being, help identify sources of confusion in previous work, and suggest directions for future inquiry.