The author addresses two issues raised in Moradi, DeBlaere, and Huang's Major Contribution to this issue: the intersection of racial/ethnic and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) identities and the question of stress and resilience. The author expands on Moradi et al.'s work, hoping to encourage further research. On the intersection of identities,…

Dialectics provide a framework for deeper understanding of complex constructs and processes and allow for consideration of dynamic range of movement. Context, however, is needed to more deeply understand and use a framework of dialectics. Environment, identity, and developmental processes are suggested as important contextual factors. The metaphor…

Scholars have called for increased attention to within-group variability in models and measures of identity development. As a step toward responding to these calls, the current review focuses on the womanist identity development model as a model of gender-related identity development that has been argued to be applicable to women across…

Develops a measure of male identity based on Wade's theory of Male Reference Group Identity Dependence. The Reference Group Identity Dependence Scale (RGIDS) assesses feelings of psychological relatedness to other males. Undergraduate males (N=344) completed the RGIDS. Discusses findings in terms of implications for the theory and future research…

Presents a theory of male identity developed to address the question of why men vary in their masculinity ideology and in their conformity to standards of masculinity. An overview of relevant masculinity research, theoretical foundations for the construct of reference group identity dependence, theoretical postulates, associated behavioral, and…

Discusses background issues relating to masculine identity. Examines Wade's theory of Male Reference Group Identity Dependence including the Male Reference Group Identity Dependence Scale (RGIDS) in terms of conceptual and methodological issues. Argues that the RGIDS focuses on the male's present reference group and ignores earlier reference…

Responds to two opening articles by Parham ("Cycles of Psychological Nigrescence") and Helms ("Considering Some Methodological Issues in Racial Identity Counseling Research"). Argues that Black or African identity is not a developmental reaction to social oppression, but is a core personality trait, essential to healthy…

Responds to two opening articles by Parham ("Cycles of Psychological Nigrescence") and Helms ("Considering Some Methodological Issues in Racial Identity Counseling Research"). Provides suggestions for expanding and testing models of racial identity development, and calls for expanded methods of measuring racial identity, and…

This commentary focuses on: (1) highlighting a set of conceptual problems inherent to the sexual identity and reorientation literature; (2) addressing specific findings from the empirical studies offered in the major contribution; and (3) offering a set of final conclusions about the ongoing debate regarding sexual reorientation treatments.

Comments on two opening articles by Parham ("Cycles of Psychological Nigrescence") and Helms ("Considering Some Methodological Issues in Racial Identity Counseling Research"). Suggests that the connotations of victimization and racial conflict in the concept of "psychological Nigrescence" are obsolete. Offers 11…

Discusses author's theory of Male Reference Group Identity Dependence. Explores the concept of psychological relatedness and male identity. Describes the concept of the male reference cohort. Discusses multicultural applicability and the future of Male Reference Group Identity Dependence Theory. (MKA)

Argues that Wade's Male Reference Group Identity Dependence Theory seems to cover familiar groups in respect to gender issues. Also holds that Wade's theory is not sensitive enough to individual differences. Discusses the status of the groups in the study. Offers suggestions for future research. (MKA)

Reliability and validity of three current instruments (Feminist Identity Scale [FIS], Feminist Identity Development Scale [FIDS]J Feminist Identity Composite [FIC]) used to operationalize Downing and Roush's model of feminist identity development were compared. A sample of 245 women completed all three instruments, and a separate sample of 35…

Presents a model of feminist identity development for women, derived, in part, from Cross's (1971) theory of Black identity development. The stages in this process include passive acceptance, revelation, embeddedness-emanation, synthesis, and active commitment. Implications of the model are outlined for women, nonsexist and feminist…

Discusses success in counseling African American men in terms of invisibility syndrome and the role played by their racial identity development. Uses a therapy case to explain how the invisibility experience helps determine Black men's perspective on cross-racial interpersonal encounters and supports racial development as fundamental to their…