Is gender-typed behavior associated with sexual orientation? Evidence from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health

Citation

Kahn, Nicole Fran & Halpern, Carolyn Tucker (2018). Is gender-typed behavior associated with sexual orientation? Evidence from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America. Denver, CO.

Abstract

Purpose: The goal of this paper is to examine gender-typed behavior longitudinally and consider its relationship with sexual orientation in adulthood. Method: Data were from 10,624 respondents to the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. After stratifying by biological sex, we examined differences in gender-typed behavior among sexual orientation groups at three different developmental stages. Next, we performed longitudinal regressions to study changes in gender-typed behavior over time. Results: Respondents who identified as “100% straight” differed in gender-typed behavior from “100% gay” or “bisexual” respondents, though how much they differed varied at each wave. In general, gender intensified over time for both males and females, but there was considerable variation by sexual orientation. Discussion: Results suggest variations in gender-typed behavior, both between and within sexual orientation groups, and over time. Understanding these variations can inform future research and strategies to prevent negative psychosocial outcomes among gender-nonconforming youth.

URL

https://paa.confex.com/paa/2018/webprogrampreliminary/Paper21237.html

Keyword(s)

sexual minorities sexual orientation gender-typed behavior

Reference Type

Conference proceeding

Book Title

Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America

Series Title

Sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and health

Author(s)

Kahn, Nicole Fran
Halpern, Carolyn Tucker

Year Published

2018

City of Publication

Denver, CO

Reference ID

8386