Title

Authentic Self-Expression: Gender, Ethnicity, and Culture

Department/School

Justice and Society Studies

Date

1-1-2010

Document Type

Book Chapter

Keywords

self-silencing, culture, sexual orientation, high-risk sexual behaviors, gender, interpersonal violence, silencing the self scale

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195398090.003.0013

Abstract

This chapter explores the portability of the self-silencing construct across a range of contexts and cultures. The authors present findings from their studies investigating correlations between depression, self-esteem, relationship adjustment, role taking, conflict tactics, and social class across diverse ethnicities, sexual orientations, and gender. These studies included samples of ethnic minority college students; community samples of young club-going singles and female dancers; urbanites in western India; Pakistani and Indian women immigrants to America with arranged marriages; and community samples of gays, lesbians, and heterosexuals in committed relationships. The results of these studies demonstrate the multifaceted nature of the self-silencing construct, as well as its relevance to topics such as violence and high-risk sexual behaviors. The authors suggest topics for future investigations that grow out of their research.

Citation/Other Information

Sikka, Anjoo, Linda Vaden-Goad, and Lisa K. Waldner. 2010. “Authentic Self-Expression: Gender, Ethnicity, and Culture” pp. 261-284 in Cultural Perspectives on Women’s Depression: Self-Silencing, Psychological Distress and Recovery edited by D. Jack and A. Ali. Oxford University Press.

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