Identity Development in African American Women: A Comparison of Theories

Identity Development in African American Women: A Comparison of Theories

By Latoya Taylor, MA, TLLP

My name is Latoya Taylor. I am a clinical psychology doctoral student in the Department of Psychology at University of Detroit Mercy. My research is being supervised by Cheryl C. Munday, PhD. I am conducting a study on women, between the ages of 18-23. In order to participate, I must have your consent.

1. Explanation of the Purpose.
The objective of this project is to understand the relationship between the mother-daughter dyad and identity development. Given the Eurocentric nature of the theories to date, I hope to contribute to programs focused on enhancing identity development, which are sensitive to African American women.

2.Explanation of the Procedures.

a. Approximately 115 volunteers will participate in this study. The questionnaire will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

b. You will complete a demographic questionnaire for background information. Following, you will answer a series of questions, which focus on your psychosocial development and the perception of your experienced mother-daughter relationship. The questionnaires should last no more than 45 minutes.

3. Expected Risks.
You may experience negative affectivity, due to the sensitivity of your unique cognitive and social experiences, and parental relationships.

4. Expected Benefits.
a. Your data will contribute to research and identity enhancement programs that are specific to identity development in African American women.

b. You will be exposed to some questions of interest and have an opportunity to gain insight into your identity development process and the quality of your mother-daughter relationship.

5. Confidentiality.
All participants will read the consent statement and agree or disagree by checking a box. Participants will not provide identifying information. Each participant will be assigned a unique identifier after submission. The final screen of the survey will include a question about future participation. If you are willing to be contacted for a future study, you will have an option to submit your email address. Your email address will be kept separate from all survey data.

6. Offer To Answer Questions.
I hereby offer to answer any question you might wish to ask concerning the procedures used in this research at this time. Furthermore, I may be reached during the hours of 9 AM until 5 PM by e-mail @patterla1@udmercy.edu. You can also feel free to contact research supervisor, Dr. Cheryl Munday by e-mail at mundayc@udmercy.edu. If you have questions concerning your rights as a volunteer, you may contact Dr. Elizabeth M. Hill, Chair, UDM Institutional Review Board, 313.578.0405 or hillelm@udmercy.edu.

7. Freedom To Withdraw Consent. If you consent to be a volunteer in this research study, you are nonetheless free to withdraw your consent and discontinue participation at any time without prejudice to you. This will include students participating in research projects within a course and no penalty to a course grade or class standing will precipitate from withdrawal as a subject. You should also understand that the investigator has the right to withdraw you from the research project at any time. If instructions are not followed in its entirety, your participation may be terminated without regard to your volunteer's consent.

8. Significant New Findings. If any significant new findings are developed during the course of this research, which may relate to your willingness to continue participation, such new findings will be provided to you.

INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONSENT

1. I have read all of the statements above pertaining to the research project.

2. I acknowledge that I am female, between the ages of 18 and 23.