We Belong Here! Recommendations to Retain and Advance Women Pediatric Psychologists With Intersecting and Marginalized Identities

Abstract

Objective: Pediatric psychology requires a workforce that matches an increasingly diverse patient population, yet women pediatric psychologists experience unique challenges within hierarchical academic medical systems. For women with multiple marginalized identities, challenges are exacerbated (i.e., “the double bind”) resulting in women of color being three times more likely to leave academic medicine. Institutional efforts have largely focused on recruiting diverse faculty with less emphasis on retaining existing faculty and cultivating a true sense of belonging. Methods: In this topical review, we introduce a framework to guide our literature review on threats to belongingness in pediatric psychology, and academic medicine more broadly. Multiple threats exist at the institutional (e.g., gender pay gaps, and parental and caregiving leave), interpersonal (e.g., microaggressions and unconscious bias), and individual levels (e.g., imposter syndrome and internalization of oppression). As this is a topical review of published articles, no IRB review was necessary. Neither informed consent nor assent procedures were required. Results: Best practice recommendations are proposed to mitigate the impact of threats to belonging, with focus on individual (e.g., resources to mitigate imposter syndrome and internalized oppression, mentorship with individuals with shared identities, and allyship), interpersonal (e.g., employee affinity groups, mentorship and sponsorship, effective allyship, and intentionality about implementation of positionality statements), and institutional factors (e.g., incentives for retention, review of tenure and promotion policies, and coverage of salary on parental leave). Conclusions: Retaining and advancing women with intersecting and marginalized identities is critical to meet the needs of the increasingly diverse pediatric patient population and to build an equitable, inclusive workforce.

Implications for Impact Statement

This article summarizes existing literature in the area of retention and inclusivity in the workplace for women with intersecting and marginalized identities in the field of pediatric psychology. This is an area of utmost importance to move toward creating inclusive workplaces where everyone feels that they belong and can do their best work to serve families and children of all backgrounds. We provide evidence-based strategies at the institutional, interpersonal, and individual level to improve belongingness for women pediatric psychologists.