Gender Differences in Identity Features and Self - Determination Process

IAFOR Journal of Psychology and the Bahavioral Sciences. 2016. Vol. 2. No. 2. P. 47–64.

Antonova N., Ivanova N.

The article describes the results of the investigation which was conducted among adult Russian males and females. The purpose of the investigation was to describe the gender differences of identity and self-determination process.  In this investigation we also confirmed our model of identity statuses which was elaborated on the base of Marcia’s model. Forty-five people were interviewed.  The results indicate that women have the identity status ‘open stable identity’ more often than men (p<0.05), and it is accompanied by the more intensive process of self-determination (p<0.05). The identity status ‘closed stable identity’ is more typical for men (p<0.05) and it is associated with the weakening of the desire for change that may hinder the process of self-determination and self-development. For women, the main stimulus of self-determination is family's welfare, and for men the main stimulus is self-development and achievement of the status in society. Based on these results, we elaborated a program of individual coaching for women, which promotes open innovation processes and self-determination. The results can be also used in family therapy and occupational counseling.

Keywords: decision-making, принятие решений, социальная идентичность, gender differences, гендерные различия, личностная идентичность, self-determination, самоопределение, identity status, статус идентичности, social identity, personal identity