RESUMEN
Abstract The development of autonomy during the transition to adulthood may present itself in different forms, depending on age, gender and cultural variations. Grounded in developmental psychology, this study examined gender and age differences in autonomy in Brazilian youth. Participants were 154 Brazilian adolescents and emerging adults (14-33 years old, M= 20.87, SD= 3.74, 50% female) from the state capital of Rio de Janeiro. Our findings indicate a positive association between age and autonomy scores in the Kağitçibaşi's Autonomous, Related and Related-autonomous Self scales. Correlation results showed gender specific results in such associations, such as that for men, age was positively associated with autonomy, whereas for women, it was associated with related-autonomy. These results suggest that, in Brazil, traditional views continue to reinforce gender roles towards men's agentic behavior and women's communal behavior. These findings highlight the importance of elucidating gender differences in the development of autonomy in different sociocultural contexts.
Resumen El desarrollo de la autonomía durante la transición a la edad adulta puede presentarse en diferentes formas, según la edad, el género y las variaciones culturales. Basado en la psicología del desarrollo, este estudio examinó las diferencias de género y edad en la autonomía de los jóvenes brasileños. Los participantes fueron 154 adolescentes brasileños y adultos emergentes (14-33 años, M = 20.87, SD = 3.74, 50% mujeres) de la capital del estado de Río de Janeiro. Nuestros hallazgos indican una asociación positiva entre las puntuaciones de edad y autonomía en las escalas de Self Autónomo, Relacionado y Autónomo-relacionado de Kağitçibaşi. Los resultados de la correlación mostraron resultados específicos de género en tales asociaciones, como la de los hombres, la edad se asoció positivamente con la autonomía, mientras que para las mujeres se asoció con la autonomía relacionada. Estos resultados sugieren que, en Brasil, las opiniones tradicionales continúan reforzando los roles de género hacia la conducta de los hombres y la conducta comunitaria de las mujeres. Estos hallazgos resaltan la importancia de dilucidar las diferencias de género en el desarrollo de la autonomía en diferentes contextos socioculturales.
RESUMEN
This exploratory study analyzed the factor structure of the Future Expectation Scale for Adolescents (FESA) in a Brazilian sample of emerging and young adults to determine its utility for research and clinical use in Brazil. The sample included 547 young adults, ranging from 18-29 years old (M = 22; SD = 3.9), from different socioeconomic status and 351 (64.2%) females. Results of Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed that the original model found for the FESA did not fit the Brazilian sample well. Therefore, a subsequent Exploratory Factor Analysis was performed with the 24 self-reported FESA items. Results demonstrated a cohesive factor structure for the FESA, but the factor structure was different from the original. For instance, items belonging to the original factor 'Marriage and Family' loaded better with the original factor 'Children's Future,' which was renamed 'Children and Family.' The original factor 'Church and Community' was slightly different and was renamed 'Church' to be consistent with the Brazilian context. The factor structure of the FESA was consistent and the measure was found to be useful for further studies in this area. (AU)
Este estudo exploratório analisou a estrutura fatorial da Escala de Expectativas Futuras de Adolescentes (FESA) em uma amostra brasileira de jovens adultos (n= 547), 64,1% do sexo feminino, com idades entre 18 e 29 anos (M = 22; DP = 3,9), de diferentes níveis socioeconômicos, a fim de determinar a utilidade da escala para fins de pesquisa e aplicação clínica no Brasil. Resultados da Análise Fatorial Confirmatória revelaram que o modelo original do FESA não se adequou bem à amostra brasileira. Posteriormente, uma Análise Fatorial Exploratória foi realizada com os 24 itens do FESA. Os resultados mostraram que o FESA apresentou uma estrutura fatorial coesa, mas diferente da original. Por exemplo, itens que pertenciam originalmente ao fator 'Casamento e Família' carregaram mais satisfatoriamente no fator 'Futuro das crianças' que foi, então, renomeado como 'Crianças e Família'. O fator original 'Igreja e Comunidade' apresentou breves mudanças e foi renomeado como 'Igreja', a fim de harmonizar com o contexto brasileiro. A estrutura fatorial do FESA mostrou-se consistente e a medida foi considerada útil para futuras pesquisas nesta área. (AU)