Beyond the binary: Development of the gender expression multidimensional inventory for queer women and queer assigned female at birth individuals

This study aimed to create an inventory of gender expression for queer women and QAFAB (queer assigned female at birth) individuals that can assess this construct beyond a binary, masculine and feminine, presentation. The literature provides evidence that gender expression is experienced beyond our typical definition of how one dresses and accessorizes their body (Bem, 1995) and is particularly unique for queer women (Lippa, 2000). Based on the literature and qualitative data from our focus groups, an initial item list of 59 items was created. Data from a total of 648 participants was analyzed through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and cross-validation. Three scales were assessed: feminine, masculine, and fluidity. The feminine scale formed two subscales: body expression (dataset one α = .89, dataset two α = .86) and behavior (dataset one α = .72, dataset two α = .67). The masculine scale exhibited differences in the cross-validation EFAs; however both dataset one and dataset two resulted in a body expression and situational subscale. What is interesting to note is that this factor was greatly reduced because many of the masculine behavior items had the weakest item loadings. This provides evidence that behaviors such as these are less likely to be associated with one’s gender expression and supports Butler’s (1993) notion that heteronormative assumptions about gender roles can lead to misconceptions such as these. Finally, the fluidity scale resulted in a social identity and time subscale. This scale, along with the masculine scale, will be further analyzed in future confirmatory factor analyses to determine final item loadings for each subscale. This multidimensional measure of gender expression will allow gender expression to be studied in a way that is more reflective of the unique experiences of queer women and QAFAB individuals.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2019

Author dc:creator

• Brown, Dawn Marie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hund, Anita
• Neville, Helen
• Zhang, Jinming
• Puckett, Jae

• gender expression, LGBTQ, queer women

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2019 Dawn Brown

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/105731

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/105731