In this study it is theorized that sex role identity and the self acceptance of one's sex role identity are critical determining factors in positive adjustment for males in old age. The subjects of this study were 125 middle class, white males ages 62 and older. The instruments used were the Bem Sex Role Inventory, the Life Satisfaction Index-A scale and a demographic questionnaire The first hypothesis states that those males with self acceptance of their sex role identity will have higher life satisfaction than those males with no self acceptance of their sex role identity. The second hypothesis states that those males with an androgynous sex role orientation will have higher life satisfaction than those males with other sex role orientations. Other demographic factors associated with high life satisfaction in elderly males were further examined along with sex role orientation and self acceptance Both hypotheses were tested using One Way Analysis of Variance. Regression Analyses and Chi Square Analyses were utilized in examining the demographic variables No significant difference between the life satisfaction scores of males with self acceptance and of males with no self acceptance was found in Hypothesis 1. Findings confirmed the second hypothesis that androgynous males did have significantly higher life satisfaction scores than those males with other sex role orientations, except the feminine males, who also had high life satisfaction scores The results of the study provide support for the importance of an androgynous or feminine sex role identity in males in later adulthood. Positive adjustment may be related to the ability to access an androgynous or feminine gender style. Self acceptance factors do not appear to be significant in the subject population; however most of the androgynous and feminine subjects also had self acceptance. The demographic findings regarding the importance of a high educational or occupational level and a high level of perceived health are consistent with those reported in previous research
