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For at least the last two decades, models of feminist practice and feminist theories have been available, but the defining characteristics of a feminist theory of psychological practice have not been fully described. In this chapter we describe the work of the conference group charged with defining the characteristics or guiding principles of a feminist theory of psychological practice. We present a summary of the sociohistorical realities that have affected the articulation of feminist theories of psychological practice and discuss the reasons that such an articulation is timely. We place this current effort to evolve feminist theory in historical context and note the paradoxes inherent to our endeavor. We describe the defining The authors are listed in alphabetical order. The first two authors assumed major responsibility as scribes for the discussion held by the theory w o r k q group. The last two authors are student participant-observers who greatly facilitated the group discussion (and the writing of thii chapter) through their carehl and insightful summaries of the discussion. Members of the larger group of conference participants contributed comments; others read earlier drafts. To all we acknowledge our gratitude for their encouragement and ideas.

Three causal models, examining the relationship of parental attachment to view of self and level of depressive symptoms, were examined for a sample of eighth-grade girls (n = 92) and boys (n = 115). Consistent with the Bowlby construct of the internal working model of self structural equation modeling provided tentative support for the mediating role of view of self in influencing depressive symptoms. Gender differences were found for levels of depressive symptoms and global self-worth. Longitudinal studies with additional variables and multiple informants are needed to further assess the validity of the proposed model

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