Hilperath, Leonhard (2023) Gender Variance and Identity Integration: The Influence of Social- and Neurocognitive Functions. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Due to society’s heteronormative views, gender variant individuals face stigma that can negatively affect the development of a coherent sense of self (Bonifacio & Rosenthal, 2015; Wells & Hansen, 2003). Indeed, poor identity integration has been associated with low psychosocial functioning and well-being (Erikson, 1968; Mitchell et al., 2021). As various social- and neurocognitive functions have been linked to identity development, this study proposes that individual differences in these functions predict well-being and that this relationship is moderated by identity integration. Moreover, the study proposes that individual differences in gender expression predict the level of identity integration and that social- and neurocognitive functions moderate this relationship. After a convenience sample (N = 269) filled out a questionnaire entailing multiple instruments (i.e., identity, well-being, cognitive functions), four hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses. Whereas higher neurocognition functions were associated with higher well-being, social cognition was not. Identity integration did not moderate either relationship. Whereas a positive relationship between in-group identification and identity integration was found, neither tested cognitive function positively moderated this relationship. This study adds to research on how stigmatized identities might be integrated into the overall sense of self and is the first to investigate this in gender variant individuals. Although the expected moderation effects were not found, this study stimulates further research into investigating which other factors potentially contribute to identity integration. Therefore, this research should be considered as a first explorative study indicating potential implications and operational changes for future research on the topic.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Meer, E.M. van der and Koc, Y. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Aug 2023 10:18 |
| Last Modified: | 30 Aug 2023 10:18 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2826 |
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