Investigating the role of multiple disadvantaged groups and intersectional awareness in promoting intraminority solidarity

Limited research has examined the dynamics of collective action among disadvantaged groups, especially the impact belonging to multiple disadvantaged groups has on intraminority solidarity. While previous research has found that perceived similarity fosters collective action among disadvantaged group members, in this paper we introduce intersectional awareness as a novel mechanism through which intraminority solidarity among multiple disadvantaged groups can be facilitated. Participants were categorized by their number of disadvantaged group memberships: 0, 1, 2, and 3, based on their race, gender, and sexual identities. Across two studies, participants (N = 550) with a greater number of disadvantaged identities were more likely to engage in collective action for two disadvantaged outgroups (i.e., Muslims, people with a disability). Mediation analysis revealed that increased intersectional awareness but not perceived similarity explained this relationship. This research introduces intersectional awareness as a novel mechanism through which intraminority solidarity can be fostered.