Diverse Identities Research Articles

Maintaining Organizational Resilience Amidst Socio‐Political Turmoil: Lessons From the Jewish—Palestinian Context

ABSTRACTWe live in an era dominated by political fervor, escalating social divisions, and increasing polarization, posing challenges to diverse organizations. In this paper, I delve into the impact of mega‐threats—external societal events with wide media coverage that evoke intense negative emotions—on organizations promoting diversity and inclusion. I explore how organizations can sustain resilience, acting as safe spaces where individuals from diverse identities and ideological perspectives feel a sense of belonging and can maintain their unique voice. Drawing on a 15‐month ethnographic study of an organization navigating the protracted national conflict between Palestinians and Jews, I uncover a two‐pronged organizational strategy. This strategy, balancing demographic representation with a commitment to avoiding the national conflict and maintaining neutrality, successfully preserves diversity, as well as crucial elements of inclusion, such as employees' sense of security and, at times, belonging. However, it falls short in cultivating resilience in the voice component, potentially leading to lower well‐being, increased avoidant work behaviors, and compromises in organizational cohesion. Avoidance also compromises organizational learning, preventing the development of capacities to address potential threats. The research contributes to the knowledge on organizational resilience in the face of mega‐threats, urging organizations to move beyond harmony‐focused approaches and address conflicts proactively for sustained diversity and inclusion.

Trans and gender diverse identities in adolescent health research: making the most of imperfect data

Advancing adolescent health research necessitates deliberate design and analysis that accurately captures the rapidly evolving world in which adolescents live and the ways in which they understand and express themselves...

Not Like Everybody Else but We're the Same: Psychosocial Variables Compared Across Diverse Sexual and Gender Identities.

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) people are underrepresented in psychological research. Part of the underrepresentation of SGM people likely stems from potential participants' unwillingness to join a study, but more concerningly, researchers exclude data from SGM participants. Furthermore, much of SGM research focuses on existing health disparities and risk factors rather than wellness-framed and personality research. To fill in this gap, the current study aims to quantify effect sizes of similarities/differences across a broad range of psychosocial measures. Applying the framework of the Gender Similarities Hypothesis, we compare means, variances, and correlations across 34 psychosocial variables between categories of SGM, gender identity, sexual orientation, relationship status, and monogamy (N = 1743). Data was collected online mainly through paid ads on Instagram. Consistently, we find largely similarities across gender identity, sexual orientation, and relationship structure categories. These results support a general expectation that similarities are more common than differences in normative psychological domains, although clear differences in means and variances exist for specific experiences and outcomes. This work informs the inclusion of diverse identities in basic psychological research and further speaks to the generalizability of past findings to populations historically underrepresented in psychological science.

Empowering Young People in Shaping an Intersectional Future for Public Spaces

Public spaces, such as squares, urban parks, and communal areas are arenas that reflect societal values and power structures, influencing who has access and how they engage with these spaces. This viewpoint explores the application of intersectionality—considering factors like gender, race, and socioeconomic status—in understanding how diverse identities shape the lived experience of young people in public spaces. More specifically, it focuses on girls, and it reflects on the intersectional challenges girls face in four different contexts to include Belgium, South Africa, Iran, and Sweden. The analysis reveals the complexities of safety, accessibility, and inclusion girls face across all cases. This viewpoint underscores the value in using an intersectional lens in designing inclusive public spaces and highlights the pivotal role of young people as advocates for change.

Retaining LGBTQQIA+ Faculty to Tenure and Beyond

In recent years, academia has attempted to be more open and accepting of diverse identities to better serve the campus community. To this end, there has been increased programming to focus on inclusiveness of marginalized identities such as LGBTQQIA+. However, much of this programming has centered on the student experience and neglected tenure-seeking faculty, who are generally used to carrying out such programming rather than benefiting from it. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of tenure-seeking counselor education faculty during their tenure-seeking process. Using consensual qualitative research (CQR) as an analytical framework, the authors found three core ideas: identity, vetting, and support.

Self-determination and self-affirmative paths of trans* and gender diverse people in Portugal: Diverse identities and healthcare

Abstract Background Trans* and gender diverse (TGD) people are very heterogeneous. While legal contexts and healthcare practices have been growingly endorsing self-determination and consent for gender affirmative care in some countries, gender affirmation trajectories need to be understood as unique and fluid processes, constructed and negotiated by each individual in a given social and cultural context. This study aimed to characterize diverse profiles of TGD people in Portugal, regarding individual choices and trajectories in social, legal, and medical gender affirmative processes. Methods A questionnaire, first developed in France and used in Brazil, Italy, Norway, and Chile, was adapted to the Portuguese context. The conducted survey is comprised of 120 questions, organized into six sections: 1) sociodemographic variables; 2) gender affirmation processes and medical and psychological care; 3) general health and sexual health; 4) mental health; 5) sexuality and sexual concerns; 6) experiences of discrimination and gender identity. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 115 adults who identified as TGD. Content analysis was performed on the written responses, and later categorized. Results Approximately 21% of people identified as men, 17% as trans men, 7% as women, 12% as trans women, 26% as non-binary persons, and 17% as agender or other identifications. Differences were calculated among profiles of TGD participants and their choices for affirmative care, social, and legal transition, revealing an association between the way people self-identify and the request for legal recognition of gender identity, as well as the choices of procedures (or aspirations) for medical affirmation (i.e., hormonal treatments, top surgery, bottom surgery). Conclusions The provision of health care practices consistent with the principles of self-determination requires training of health care professionals and adjustment of public policies, to allow for unique trajectories and profiles.

Key aspects in the development of gender identity and sexual orientation according to trans and gender diverse people: a qualitative approach.

For decades, the sexuality of trans and gender diverse people has been researched from a pathologising and medical perspective. This approach makes assumptions about the experiences of trans people, limiting concern for unique and individual experiences, especially for those with non-binary or gender diverse identities. A growing number of articles however are beginning to take the viewpoints of trans people seriously, taking into consideration their unique experiences and insights within the context of sexual and romantic relationships. This study examines the development of gender identity and sexual orientation of a group of trans individuals in Spain. Thirteen self-identified trans participants were interviewed about their sexual orientation, gender identity and the interplay between both those aspects. A constructivist grounded theory methodology was employed to analyse the data. Five major categories were identified: reinterpreting experiences through identification with gender identity and sexual orientation; questioning gender identity and sexual orientation norms; understanding the interplay between gender identity and sexual orientation; developing as a couple; and building a community. Findings highlight the dynamic and relational nature of gender identity and sexual orientation and provide further insight into the interaction of these aspects in the development of trans and gender diverse identities.

Ethnic Environmentalism in the Russian Regions: National Identity and Nature Protection

Increased public awareness of environmental problems and the strengthening of diverse identities may lead to the emergence of ‘ethnic environmentalism’. These movements make environmental claims associated with the interests of an ethnic community. We develop this concept by examining protests in the Russian regions. Our findings suggest that ethnic identity facilitates environmental activism under the following conditions: the ethnic group claims a special cultural relationship to the natural environment; environmental concern and ethnic identity are linked to the unfair distribution of resources; and blame is directed towards regional actors rather than the federal government.

Development of a culturally safe recovery-oriented mental health practice

ABSTRACT This paper provides a comprehensive perspective on recovery, highlighting the significance of cultural awareness and the use of intersectionality theory to further the understanding of the influence of diverse identities on the recovery journey. A conceptual model is being introduced for culturally safe recovery-oriented practices, encompassing key domains: ways of knowing, presence, doing, and operating. Social workers are urged to lead the adoption of these practices, addressing service delivery gaps and promoting cultural safety for mental health service users. The model encourages mental health practitioners to engage in self-reflexivity, challenge power structures, and dismantle social inequities that hinder mental health recovery. The holistic embrace of all four practice domains can enhance service delivery and foster cultural safety for service users in recovery.

Fear, hesitation, and resistance: Georgia educators’ responses to divisive concepts legislation

Currently, attacks on CRT and neoliberal legislation work to undermine public education and democracy in the United States. Divisive concepts legislation restricts what teachers say and do, acting as a counterwave to implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. In this article, a collective of educators with diverse identities working in varied contexts engage in collaborative reflection on the impact of HB 1084 (a censorship policy in Georgia), on their educational practices. We generated vignettes and coded them for the degree to which we reacted with fear, hesitation, and/or resistance. Our responses existed within this set of reactions and were influenced by our identities, constraints/affordances of our contexts, and experiences. Our vignettes expose how the legislation subjected us to a surveillance state that sometimes produced fear and hesitation, especially for those in positions related to preservice teaching. However, resistance was also present in response to the legislation in almost every vignette. Implications emerging from this study include the importance of educators engaging student voices as a form of backup and the necessity of coalition building for critical teaching. Findings suggest policies like HB 1084 undermine culturally relevant, antiracist, justice-centered teaching and are fundamentally regressive to improving the public school system.

Teenagers, media usage, and attitudes toward LGBTIQ+ issues: An ethnographic approach to Barcelona’s students

The paper analyses the discourses of teenagers from Barcelona around LGBTIQ+ rights and individuals, focusing on determining what influence the media have on these discourses. Short-term ethnographic research was carried out from March 2022 to May 2023 in three educational institutions from the Barcelona metropolitan area. The study involved 59 participants aged between 14 and 18 years old, encompassing diverse identities and backgrounds. The data gathered during the ethnographic research were coded and analyzed qualitatively. The results are presented in four main areas: (1) Over-information, dis-information, and confusion; (2) Media usage; (3) LGBTIQ+ phobia; and (4) LGBTIQ+ self-perception and responses. The paper contributes to LGBTIQ+ Media Studies by incorporating ethnographic methods into this field. In addition, it provides information for educators and practitioners that can be used in subjects that include aspects on gender and sexual diversity.

Against linkage: A novel generative face anonymization framework with style diversification

AbstractWith the advent of the digital era, millions of facial images are shared online daily, posing severe privacy threats. Generative face anonymization (GFA) methods generate virtual faces to conceal original identities, protecting sensitive information while preserving utility. However, deep learning based user identity linkage (UIL) methods can link similar faces to the same identity and leverage the linked profiles for malicious purposes, including localization and behaviour prediction. These UIL methods pose a significant challenge to the diversity of virtual faces, a challenge that existing GFA methods have not adequately addressed. To address this research gap, we propose Style Diversification‐based Generative Face Anonymization (SD‐GFA), a framework that generates virtual faces with diverse identities and high visual quality. SD‐GFA features an equalized control module to balance input faces and user‐specified keys, a face generation module with a re‐connection strategy for high‐quality synthesis, and a maximum probability simulation module to enhance diversity. Our experiments demonstrate that SD‐GFA effectively mitigates linkage risk by improving the diversity of virtual faces, while also enhancing their utility and visual quality. This study provides a robust solution to enhance the security of anonymized faces shared on the internet.

Waves of Feminism in Literature and their Literary Reflections

This research paper explores the evolution of feminist thought across four waves. The first wave, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, focused on women's suffrage and legal rights. The second wave, from the 1960s to the 1980s, addressed reproductive rights and systemic patriarchy. The third wave, beginning in the 1990s, emphasized intersectionality, recognizing diverse identities. The fourth wave, marked by digital activism, confronts issues like sexual harassment and body shaming, reflecting the ongoing evolution of feminist movements

Moving beyond us-versus-them polarization towards constructive conversations

ABSTRACT The global surge of political polarization poses a significant threat to liberal democracies. The prevailing “us-versus-them” mentality prevents leaders from effectively addressing societal issues. While intergroup dialogue shows promise in bridging divisions among diverse identity groups, the dynamics of real-life conversations between individuals with opposing political identities remain underexplored. This study investigates a unique case study of constructive face-to-face interactions among American political elites on a contentious issue. By examining how opposing leaders collaborate towards shared goals, the research identifies communicative actions that can reduce polarization. This study delves into the complex dynamics of polarization, as both an issue-based and identity-based conflict, focusing on interactional framing strategies leaders use to navigate their differences. The findings reveal that political leaders bridge ideological divides by embracing multiple frames, reconnecting conflicting frames, and developing neutral non-political frames. They also foster positive relations, use superordinate identities, and decrease social distance, thereby bridging their identity gap. By fostering convergence rather than accentuating differences, they effectively counteract polarization. Studying rare examples of constructive bipartisan collaboration offers valuable insights into reducing polarization, restoring political trust among the general public, and mitigating broader societal impacts, ultimately strengthening the foundations of a healthy democracy.

Gender discontents? The emergence of trans and gender nonconforming experiences in Ireland’s Gay Community News (1988–1998)

ABSTRACT Research pertaining to the emergence and presence of trans and gender nonconforming identities in press materials has been lacking, particularly within the queer Irish context. This article fills this gap by presenting the findings of a study exploring the emergence of gender nonconformity through the alternative queer media outlet, Gay Community News (GCN). Using the first decade of the GCN’s reportage (1988 to 1998), this article explores 113 issues of GCN, including supplements, deploying textual analysis to uncover how GCN negotiated and represented trans and gender diverse identities. Through this analysis, three key themes relating to trans visibility emerge across this decade: 1. Negotiating the inclusion and exclusion of trans femme identities; 2. Transvestite identity and its normal attachments and 3. Information provision and consciousness-raising. In exploring these themes, this article argues that alternative media have been crucial for the emergence of trans and gender diverse visibility in the Irish queer press. Additionally, it contends that this community is very much minoritised regarding the kinds of inclusions offered to them. While highlighting the activist potential of alternative media like GCN, the article demonstrates that trans visibility was often complex, marred by exclusions and expectations around conformity.

Diversity-On: A Diversity-Sensitive Online Self-Help Program for Family Caregivers-A Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

Scientific research has consistently emphasised the high levels of stress encountered by family caregivers of individuals living with dementia. However, conventional self-help approaches remain underutilised. The 'Diversity-On' study addresses this issue. The study employs a storytelling approach to develop and evaluate an online self-help program that is participatory and diversity-sensitive, thereby ensuring congruence with diverse identities and lifeworlds. The study uses a mixed-methods design, comprising the allocation and implementation of the intervention, the development of stories, a process evaluation (N = 20) and an outcome evaluation (quantitative: N = 130, qualitative: N = 20). The study's primary focus is its comprehensive participatory approach, integrated throughout the research process. The study is dependent on the input of a number of stakeholders, all of whom are committed to advocating for the concerns of patients. Given its participatory methodology and intersectional perspective, the 'Diversity-On' study is anticipated to yield a number of significant outcomes. The study has the potential to empower family caregivers of individuals living with dementia who are under high stress, empowering them to take part in self-help groups despite multiple barriers, thus alleviating their burden. Additionally, it has the capacity to promote the well-being of caregiving relatives who are providing care and are experiencing high levels of stress. The study's objective is to maintain home care arrangements for as long as possible, in accordance with the values and preferences of care recipients and their families. The study intends to develop and assess a customised online self-help resource that is suitable for a diverse range of users and that remains accessible beyond the study period. The project is subsequently registered in ClinicalTrials.gov.

Using an anti-racist research framework to design studies of oral human papillomavirus and oropharyngeal cancer in San Francisco: rationale and protocol for the Health Equity and Oral Health in People living with HIV (HEOHP) qualitative study

IntroductionThe goal of our research programme is to develop culturally appropriate patient-specific interventions for primary and secondary prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) among people living with HIV...

Collegiate Athletes’ Perceptions of the Connection Between Mental Health and Sport Performance: A Qualitative Investigation

Prevalence of mental health (MH) concerns among young adults is high and continues to increase. As a specific subset of young adults, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes seem to experience these concerns at a similar or greater prevalence rate than their nonathlete, age-matched peers. Yet, how MH affects sport performance has not been robustly studied, and existing studies have not included the diversity of identities present in the collegiate athlete population. Thus, via online survey, this study explored the beliefs of 249 collegiate athletes representing diverse identities and sports regarding how MH affects sport performance. Regardless of demographic variable, 96.4%–100.0% of participants believed that MH affects sport performance. Three themes were identified: (a) collegiate athletes affirm that MH affects sport performance, (b) collegiate athletes’ perceptions of how MH affects sport performance, and (c) collegiate athletes believe that being a collegiate athlete exacerbates their MH concerns. The universality of endorsement and the themes represent novel findings that warrant further exploration of the MH–sport performance connection.

A tech-tonic shift: the complex dance of technology-enabled-learning and academic identity work in higher education

ABSTRACT The Covid-19 pandemic catalysed significant transformations in higher education, prominently manifesting through the accelerated adoption of Technology-Enabled Learning (TEL). This shift not only redefined pedagogical practices but also significantly impacted the teaching-orientated identity work of academics. This study explores the repercussions of TEL on academic identity within the post-pandemic educational landscape, moving beyond the confines of online learning to consider the broader technological influences on teaching and learning. The study commences with a review of the existing literature on academic identity work, including an analysis of both the internal and external influences that shape this identity work. Through 20 interviews conducted with the faculty of higher education bodies, the study introduces a taxonomy of five overlapping academic identity archetypes; the entertainer, the hunter-gatherer, the gatekeeper, the humanist, and the technologist. These archetypes provide a classification for understanding the complex, multifaceted nature of academic identities and their evolution in response to TEL. Within this classification, we also include the multitude of rituals and activities undertaken within each archetype as modes of identity work. As such, this study underscores the dynamic, fluid nature of instructor-orientated academic identity, recognising the challenges and opportunities posed by TEL. By fostering environments that acknowledge and leverage these diverse identities, academic institutions can enhance their faculty's capacity to innovate and excel in teaching in an increasingly digital world.

Through tensions to identity-based motivations: Exploring teacher professional identity in Artificial Intelligence-enhanced teacher training

This mixed-methods case study explores teacher professional identity (TPI) tensions and motivations for Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration in teaching within a Chinese university-level AI-enhanced teacher training programme. Surveys were completed by 216 attendees, followed by in-depth qualitative analysis of 15 selected teachers. The study reveals TPI groupness-individuality, humanity-technology, and continuity-openness tensions. Three conceptual models are introduced: Human Intelligence and AI as Navigator, Collaborator, and Inventor. It underscores the critical role of tailored AI-enhanced teacher training in harmonising educators’ diverse identities and motivations with technological advancements, signalling a strategic approach for effective AI integration in global teacher education.