What Motivates Emerging Adult Women to act for Gender Equality?

• In Event: Poster Session 05
  In Poster Session: PS 05 Topic -Diversity, Equity & Social Justice

Abstract

In the face of sexism, why do some young women act to reduce inequality while others do not? Activism is a complicated phenomenon and multiple explanations have been posited. Our purpose was to expand on previous research by integrating elements from several theoretical models to better understand gender equality activism (GEA).

Numerous factors spark activism. Critical consciousness posits that for members of marginalized groups, reflection on inequality leads to activism through internal and external efficacy (Freire, 2000). However, not all young women who recognize gender inequality and have efficacy participate in activism.

Feminist identity may be necessary. Research has revealed identifying with a disadvantaged group promotes activism through efficacy (van Zomeren, et al., 2004). Feminist identity may be an especially important factor for emerging adult women’s GEA as identity development is a key developmental task (Crocetti, 2017).

Emotion may spur action. Recognizing one’s group is oppressed results in anger which motivates activism (van Zomeren et al., 2004).

Integrating this research, we hypothesized reflection on gender inequality would predict greater GEA for women who more strongly endorsed a feminist identity and reported greater efficacy (internal, external, group) or group-based anger. Specifically, a serial mediation model was proposed in which reflection leads to GEA through identity and then through forms of efficacy or anger (see Figure 1).

Emerging adult women (N=235; age M=18.61 years, SD=.97 years; 74% European-American) were recruited from introductory psychology classes. The Relative Deprivation Scale (Kelly & Breinlinger, 1995; =.91) measured perceived gender inequality. Self-Identification as a Feminist Scale captured feminist identity (Syzmanski, 2004; =.94). Forms of efficacy were measured with the Civic Efficacy (internal efficacy; Ballard, Caccavale, & Buchanan, 2015; =.86), External Gender Efficacy (Thomas, 2016; = .85), and Group Efficacy (Thomas & Newell, 2017; =.78) scales. Anger about gender inequality was captured with the Group-Based Anger measure (Thomas, 2017; =.94). A composite of items from the Involvement in Feminist Activities (Syzmanski, 2004) and Collective Behavior for Women scales (Foster & Matheson, 1995; =.91) captured GEA.

To evaluate the hypothesis, PROCESS serial mediation (Model 81; Hayes, 2018) was utilized. Effects were examined with biased-corrected 95% confidence intervals based on 10,000 bootstrapped samples. A significant indirect effect is indicated by a confidence interval that does not include zero.

Partial support for the hypothesis was found. As expected, the indirect effects of reflection through feminist identity through internal efficacy (see Table 1, indirect effect 6), group efficacy (indirect effect 8), and anger (indirect effect 9) were significant. The indirect effect of reflection through feminist identity through external efficacy was not significant (indirect effect 7). Reflection was positively associated with greater GEA for women who more strongly endorsed a feminist identity and who had greater internal efficacy, group efficacy, or group-based anger.

Activism is a tool to transform unjust social conditions and improve people’s lives (Freire, 2000). Findings suggest reflection on sexism, feminist identity, some forms of efficacy, and anger may be necessary to spark young women’s GEA. Explanations for finding and their theoretical and applied implications will be discussed.

Authors

• Jennifer J Thomas, Wilkes University
  Presenting Author

• Ellen E Newell, Wilkes University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Taylor Barletta, Wilkes University
  Non-Presenting Author