Intersectionality Research in Psychological Science: Resisting the Tendency to Disconnect, Dilute, and Depoliticize

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Psychological science has been slow to adopt intersectionality, a framework examining overlapping social identities and their impact.
• This limited adoption hinders the theoretical development and practical application of intersectionality in research.
• Existing studies, while attempting an intersectional approach, often fail to fully capture its complexity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review intersectional theory and praxis within psychological science.
• To examine the field's resistance to fully incorporating intersectionality.
• To highlight necessary shifts for research to become genuinely intersectional.

Main Methods:

• Review of intersectional theory and its application in psychological research.
• Analysis of a study claiming an intersectional approach to psychopathology and treatment utilization in diverse youth.
• Critical examination of the limitations in current research practices.

Main Results:

• The study by Mennies and colleagues, while comparing race, sex, and social class, does not fully represent intersectionality theory.
• Psychological science demonstrates resistance to fully integrating intersectionality, often diluting its social justice implications.
• Current research practices often fail to achieve true intersectional praxis.

Conclusions:

• A call for psychological science to fully integrate intersectionality theory and praxis.
• Emphasize the need to resist diluting and depoliticizing intersectionality.
• Reconnecting intersectionality with its essential social justice frame is crucial for impactful research.