Exploring the Contribution of Gender Identity to Differences in Career Experiences

Abstract

A questionnaire designed to assess attitudes, experiences, and behaviors which reflect differences in gender identity with work situations was sent to a national random sample of 1,000 psychologists. The following hypotheses were tested: (1) women's careers are more affected than men's by conflicts over interpersonal relationships; (2) women are more likely than men to employ strategies to maintain intimacy and interpersonal harmony in the workplace; (3) women derive a sense of job satisfaction and happiness from a contextual, rather than individualistic, perspective. Analyses indicated that few significant sex differences could be substantiated. On the majority of questionnaire items, there were no significant gender differences in responses. The differences that did emerge generally were consistent with previously reported findings and are interpreted in relation to Hypotheses 1 and 3. The implications of these findings concerning influences of gender identity on professional functioning are discussed.