The Effect of Personal Growth and Assertive Training Classes on Female Sex-Role Self-Concept

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of personal growth and assertive train ing classes on the sex-role self-concept of 116 women enrolled in personal growth classes and seventy women enrolled in assertive training. All classes met for ten weeks. During the first session, subjects were asked to supply demographic information; during the first and ninth sessions, they completed the Bem Sex-Role Inventory. A significant difference (t (69) = 3.021, p < .01) was noted from pre- to post-test for subjects in assertive training. The subjects increased their acceptance of masculine charac teristics. No significant differences were noted from pre- to post-test for subjects in personal growth (t (115) = 1.79). It was concluded that per sonal growth and assertive training may be effective approaches. How ever, their impact on female sex-role self-concept is different. Choice of classes should be dependent on the needs of clients and their goals.

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References

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