Age-related changes in personality variables that may contribute to the reduction of symptoms of eating disorders with adult development were examined. Undergraduate sorority women (n = 52; mean age = 19.85 years) were compared with alumnae of the same sorority (n = 34; mean age = 33.74 years). Eating pathology was correlated with greater…

Follows the argument of feminist psychologists that traditional life-span theories are male oriented and exclusive of the possible diversity of a woman's life cycle. Looks at the implications of findings on adult education and adult learning. (JOW)

Exposure to models and theories about adult development gives learners structure and language they can apply to their own experiences. Responses of 65 women in a development course brought out 6 themes: knowing oneself, accepting oneself, connecting with others, changing perspectives, empowering oneself, and seeking growth and development. (SK)

THE RELATIONSHIP OF EGO-STAGE DEVELOPMENT (BASED UPON THE THEORIES OF ERIK ERICKSON) TO THE EXPERIENCES ADULTS IDENTIFIED AS LEADING TO RE-CREATION WAS EXPLORED, USING DATA OBTAINED FROM 73 WOMEN SELECTED AT RANDOM FOR A POPULATION OF 582 AMERICAN AND CANADIAN WOMEN GRADUATE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN IN FALL, 1964. INFORMATION…

Examined effect of widowhood on ego identity and psychological functioning among 83 widows. Found group scored significantly higher than national norms on structured measure of self-esteem. Twenty-five percent of respondents reported positive changes after widowhood, 39% reported mixed effects, and 30% reported only negative changes. Data fit…

Compared sex role characteristics and related personality traits in four age groups of women. In general, younger women were least like the traditional feminine sex role stereotype; they were more willing to ascribe masculine sex role characteristics to themselves. Older women adhered most strongly to conventional feminine traits. (JAC)

Highlights a changing, rather than static view, of the story of "Snow White" by interpreting the story's symbol of the mirror in three roles: guide, trap, and tool of wholeness. Suggests that these interpretations illustrate that developmental processes that entrap individuals may constitute necessary developmental steps and that gains…

Although the literature links the presence of a confidant with successful adaptation to loss, and widowhood with a blurring of personal identity, the relationship between these two areas has seldom been explored. To examine the relationship between the presence of a confidant and adaptation in widowhood, 70 women from northeastern Connecticut who…

An oral history of the workplace learning experiences of 17 women revealed that central to these experiences was exploration of self. Themes included recognizing and naming the self, confronting and breaking free of constraining workplace structures, and recovering an authentic self. (SK)

This study explores the relationship of ego-stage development (based on the theories of Erik Erikson and roughly defined as psychological maturity) to experiences which a group of adults identified as leading to re-creation for them. The author believes that re-creation -- defined as a feeling of heightened well-being or a sense of renewal and…

Uses the story of "Snow White" to examine issues regarding self and midlife development, especially for women. Considers issues of beauty, image, power, generativity, intimacy, identity, and integration. Suggests that this story illustrates a major midlife task, that of coming to terms with earlier images of oneself in order to develop a…

The results showed as much variation within the groups of mature women and young women as between the two groups. Mature women found little in the academic or social life of the institution with which to identify; neither did the young women. (Author/CG)

The impact of early life events that take place under specific historical and societal circumstances on adult development have rarely been investigated in old age. We examined whether having started a family in young adulthood was related to the contents of possible selves generated by women aged 85 to 100+ in the Berlin Aging Study (N = 129; M…

The past 15 years have brought a re-evaluation of women's adult development in light feminist thinking. However, many outdated assumptions in psychological theory remain comfortably ensconced; to challenge these ideas, some misrepresentations of women's experience are examined. The focus is on Erik Erikson's explanation of the second stage of…

Women in four age groups did not differ significantly in overall level of self-esteem, but could be discriminated on the more specific aspects of self-concept. The 40- to 55-year-olds reported more positive feelings about themselves in their family relations and morality. Women over 60 showed more defensiveness. (Author)