Korean J Adult Nurs.  2013 Jun;25(3):289-297.

A Typology: Older Women and Gender Role Identity

• Kim MA
• Park E
• Ko SH

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to categorize and to understand the structure of subjectivity in the gender role identity of older female adults. The perception of gender role identity is subjective and varies according to the uniqueness of individual experiences and the value of social culture.
METHODS
Q-methodology, a technique for extracting subjective opinions was used. In 2010, forty participants completed the Q-sort activity, rating each statement relative to the others. The Q sample has two categories, representing masculinity and femininity, and each category has 20 statements, resulting in 40 adjectives.
RESULTS
Using the Q factor analysis, three classifications were identified: 'caring-affectionate type,', 'assertive-confident type,' and 'sensitive-affectionate type.' Despite the differences among the three types in this research, elderly females are likely to have the understanding and patience to comfort others and care for the children.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study revealed new dimensional types of gender role identity and raise the issue of why we need to develop methods for the new dimensional types. Based on the results, further research is needed to compare the findings with those of older males or with women of different age groups.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Female
Femininity
Gender Identity
Humans
Male
Masculinity
Q-Sort

Reference

Bem S. L.1975. Sex role adaptability: One consequence of psychological androgyny. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 31(4):634–643.

Echabe A. E.2010. Role identities versus social identities: Masculinity, femininity, instrumentality and communality. Asian Journal of Social Psychology. 13(1):30–43.

Hooker S. P.., Wilcox S.., Burroughs E. L.., Rheaume C. E.., Courtenay W.2012. The potential influence of masculine identity on health-improving behavior in mid life and older African American men. Journal of Men's Health. 9(2):79–88.

Jacobi J.1974. Complex archetype and symbol. Prince town: Bollingen.

Johnson R. A.1986. Inner work: Using dreams and active imagination for personal growth. San Francisco: Harper & Row.

Kim H. K.2007. P sampling and Q-sorting. Journal of Korean Society for the Scientific Study of Subjectivity. 15(2):5–19.

Kim H. S.1995. An empirical study of Korean patriarchal values (II). The Journal of Social Sciences. 14(1):197–216.

Kim K. W.., Yoo M. S.., Cho Y. J.2004. Sex-role identity in female college students: The influence of childhood experience of parental power. Asian Women. 43(1):313–342.

Kim T. H.., Yoo E. H.1987. A study on relationship between sex role identity and life satisfaction among elderly persons. Korean Journal of Human Ecology. 25(4):113–121.

Kim Y. H.2000. A study of the effects on the Korean adolescents' sexual role identity and attitude by the audio-visual program for sexual education. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. 30(6):1556–1568.

Kim Y. H.2004. Gender relation and psychological well-being among the elderly. Korea Journal of Population Studies. 27(1):1–30.

Korea National Statistical Office. 2009, October. Census of elderly population in Korean 2009 year. Seoul: Author. Retrieved September 30, 2009, from Korea National Statistical Office Website:. http://kostat.go.kr.

Kwak S. G.2008. Feminist education. Seoul: Ewha Womans University Press.

Kwak S. G.., Jo H. S.., Yoon H. K.2005. The perceived experiences of gender-role development and conflicts at each life stage. Journal of Korean Women's Studies. 21(2):147–179.

Lee E. A.2006. The relationships of the middle-aged married men and women's gender-role attitude and psychological adjustment. Korean Journal of Human Ecology. 9(1):25–41.

Lee H. S.1997. The femininity of counseling and women counseling. Korean Journal of Psychology: Women. 2(1):1–13.

Lee S. H.2011. Korean women's conceptualization of motherhood: A comparative analysis through oral life histories. Feminism Study. 11(1):59–99.

Lee S. S.., Lee K. J.2001. The effect of economic state, health state, and sex role identity on self esteem of the elderly men and women. Korean Journal of Human Ecology. 4(1):1–10.

Lee S. S.., Lee K. J.2002. The stress, social support and psychological well-being of the elderly. Journal of the Korea Gerontology Society. 22(1):1–20.

Littlefield M. B.2003. Gender role identity and stress in African American women. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment. 8(4):93–104.

Park E. A.2011. Gender role identity of female college students and the diversity of its types. Korean Journal of Adult Nursing. 23(5):423–433.

Paik J. E.2010. Effects of social support on psychological health for old women and old men. The Korean Journal of Women Psychology. 15(3):425–445.

Perrig-Chiello P.., Hutchison S.2010. Family caregivers of elderly persons: A differential perspective on stressors, resources, and well-being. The Journal of Gerontopsychol-ogy and Geriatric Psychiatry. 23(4):195–206.

Pikler V. I.., Brown C.2010. Cancer patients' and partners' psychological distress and quality of life: Influence of gender role. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology. 28(1):43–60.

Spence J. T.1984. Gender identity and its implications for the concepts of masculinity and femininity. In T. B. Sondereg-ger (Ed.), Nebraska Symposium on Motivation:. Psychology of Gender. 32:59–95.

Stephenson W.1953. The study of behavior: Q technique & its methodology. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.