%0 Journal Article
%T Gender
%A Carol L. Martin
%A Dawn E. England
%A Joyce J. Endendijk
%A Naomi C. Z. Andrews
%J International Journal of Behavioral Development
%@ 1464-0651
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/0165025418820686
%X The current study examined emerging adults¡¯ gender identity and its link with several gender-related and social outcomes, by using a novel dual-identity approach that was originally developed in children. Dutch emerging adults between 18 and 25 years old (N = 318, Mage = 21.73, SD = 2.02; 51% female) indicated their similarity to the own-gender group and the other-gender group to assess gender identity. They completed questionnaires assessing gender-typed behavior (internalized sexualization, toughness, emotional stoicism) and attitudes (i.e., sexism); friendship efficacy and ability; and social-emotional adjustment. Cluster analysis on the gender-identity items revealed four gender-identity types: (a) feeling similar to one¡¯s own gender, but not to the other gender (Own-GS); (b) feeling similar to both one¡¯s own and the other gender (Both-GS); (c) feeling dissimilar to one¡¯s own gender (Low-Own-GS); and (d) feeling similar to neither gender (Low-GS). Own-GS and Low-GS adults were most gender-typed in their behavior and showed sexist attitudes. Both-GS adults felt efficacious and were highly able to relate to both genders, whereas the other groups felt efficacious and were able to relate to only one gender (Own-GS, Low-Own-GS), or to neither gender (Low-GS). Low-Own-GS and Low-GS were least well-adjusted social-emotionally. Findings suggest that identifying with one¡¯s own gender is helpful for certain aspects of social-emotional adjustment but that also identifying with the other gender provides the advantage of flexible social and interpersonal skills and egalitarian gender attitudes
%K Gender identity
%K emerging adults
%K dual identity
%K adjustment
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0165025418820686