Date of Award

January 2016

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Heather Terrell

Abstract

In the present study, the construct validity of a new measure of hyperfemininity, the Hyperfemininity Questionnaire (HFQ), was examined. Hyperfemininity is defined as an exaggerated, strict, and overt adherence to stereotypic feminine gender role norms (Murnen & Byrne, 199). The study built upon two exploratory factor analyses and a confirmatory factor analysis which found five factors included in the HFQ: traditional values, superficiality, emotionality, manipulation, and attraction to masculinity. Two well-established personality measures (Personality Assessment Inventory – PAI, Morey, 2007 and Personality Inventory for DSM-5 - PID-5, Krueger, Derringer, Markon, Watson, & Skodol, 2012) were used to establish the construct validity of several factors of the HFQ. Overall, the study found hyperfemininity to be correlated to increased psychopathology (e.g., symptoms of anxiety and depression) as well as personality traits such as separation anxiety, manipulativeness, submissiveness, and perfectionism. Implications and future research directions are discussed.

Share

COinS