AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF ADULT DEVELOPMENT IN BLACK, PROFESSIONAL WOMEN.
Item
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Title
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AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF ADULT DEVELOPMENT IN BLACK, PROFESSIONAL WOMEN.
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Identifier
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AAI8515656
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identifier
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8515656
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Creator
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RUFFIN, JANICE E.
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Contributor
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Laurence J. Gould/Larry Gould
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Date
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1985
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Clinical
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Abstract
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This exploratory study was conducted with an aim of generating hypotheses about adult development in black women. The central theoretical framework utilized was that of Levinson's (1978) theory of adult development. Levinson's theory was proposed on the basis of his studies of men's development; it was anticipated that the theory would have limited applicability for women's lives. Further, another objective was that of exploring the relationship between age-related developmental change and an evolving racial identity.;The subjects in this study were evenly distributed across an age range of 40 to 50 years. The sample included two black women in each of four professional groups i.e. nursing, teaching, business, and law. A majority of the sample had raised children (i.e. five). Four were married; two were Single; and, two were Divorced.;Volunteer subjects were recruited through the professional and personal contacts of the investigator. Each subject participated in, approximately, ten hours of retrospective life-history interviewing. In addition, the Thematic Apperception Test was administered to each subject.;The findings provided support for Levinson's proposition that development change is expressed through changes in the life structure i.e. the basic pattern or design of one's life. However, the findings provided inconclusive support for Levinson's premises that: the life course evolves with alternating stable and transitional periods; and, that there is an average, most frequent age for the onset and completion of each developmental period.;On the basis of the study's findings, two specific revisions in Levinson's theory were suggested to capture women's developmental issues. The developmental task of managing one's sexuality and choices regarding childrearing was proposed for the Novice phase i.e. Ages 16-33. The developmental task of integration of needs for independence and for interdependence was proposed as an alternative to Levinson's conception of the period between Ages 33 and 41.;Based on findings regarding the influence of racial identity on adult development, it was hypothesized that: black women are socialized to perceive themselves in androgynous terms i.e. as capable of combining masculine and feminine traits in a positive way; and, that, optimally, the evolution of life structures in early adulthood involves an increase in racial self-esteem, and a transcending of racial stereotypes.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
