title: A further exploration of the lesbian identity development process and its measurement.
abstract: This study explored the fit of Cass's (1979) model of homosexual identity formation (HIF) and the utilization of the Self Identity Questionnaire (Brady, 1983) with a sample of lesbian women. Purposes of the study were to evaluate assignment of HIF stage based on two self-report measures, to measure the relationship between aspects of self-concept and lesbian identity development, and to clarify the sequencing of developmental tasks in lesbian identity formation. Participants were 118 women who self-identified as lesbian or as questioning their sexuality. Results of the study indicated that relationships exist between self-reported and assigned HIF stage, that HIF stage correlates with self-concept, and that participants moved through key developmental tasks in the order predicted by Cass's (1979) model. In addition, age was found to have a relationship with HIF stage. The study provides limited support for the utility of the HIF model and its measurement.
authors.affiliation: Center for Counseling and Student Development, Radford University, VA 24142, USA. hlevine@runet.edu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010553:Personality Development; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods; D012649:Self Concept; D012933:Social Identification