The intersectionality of identity can affect the experience of harassment, discrimination, and adverse mental health outcomes differently for each individual based on their unique set of characteristics. This study examines how multiple identity factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, class, age, disability, religion, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic status, education level, political affiliation, physical appearance, occupation, geographic location, family structure, marital status, parental status, legal status, language, immigration status, housing status, and citizenship influence vulnerability to harassment, discrimination, and mental health outcomes.
Identity is composed of many elements that are interconnected and intersecting.
Someone may be a woman who identifies as black, has a disability, and comes from a low socioeconomic background. These three aspects work together to create an individual's experience of life, including their exposure to harassment and discrimination. Research shows that women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, those living in poverty or experiencing homelessness, immigrants, and other marginalized groups are more likely to experience discrimination than others. The combined effect of these intersecting social identities creates additional layers of discrimination that can lead to increased vulnerability to harassment and negative mental health outcomes.
Harassment and discrimination can take many forms, including verbal abuse, physical violence, microaggressions, exclusion, and stereotyping. Studies have shown that members of multiple minority groups are at greater risk of experiencing this type of treatment than those who only belong to one group. This can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other adverse mental health outcomes.
The impact of discrimination on mental health can be compounded by other factors such as family and cultural pressures, lack of support networks, and limited access to resources.
The intersectionality of identity also affects how individuals cope with adversity. People who face multiple layers of oppression may find it difficult to seek help due to stigma or lack of accessibility. They may also internalize the discrimination they experience, leading to low self-esteem and negative self-image. These effects can persist for years and contribute to long-term psychological distress.
The interplay between multiple identities has a significant impact on vulnerability to harassment, discrimination, and adverse mental health outcomes. It is essential to recognize the complex nature of identity and work towards creating a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive without fear of discrimination or marginalization.
How do intersecting social identities influence vulnerability to harassment, discrimination, and adverse mental health outcomes?
Research has found that people with multiple social identities may be more likely to experience harassment and discrimination than those who only identify with one identity group. Additionally, individuals with marginalized identities such as gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, etc. , are often targets of discrimination which can lead to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and depression (Dovidio et al. , 2017).