Crafting a Positionality Statement
What to Include in a Positionality Statement
When crafting a positionality statement, especially in mental health research for young adults, it's essential to include information most relevant to your experience and the research context. For example, Sandy, in her positionality statement, would note that she is no longer in the 18-30 age range. While she has experiences from when she was in that age range, changes in the health system, access issues, and the impact of the pandemic may have altered the current healthcare landscape.
Addressing Privacy Concerns in Positionality Statements
Voluntary Disclosure: It's crucial to understand that authors are not required to disclose any aspect of their identities unless they choose to do so.
Authorial Rights: Authors should feel empowered to include only the identity aspects they wish to disclose. Writing a group positionality statement from individual statements can offer greater anonymity.
Aspects of Your Identity That Shape Your Positionality
It's important to note that certain aspects can be both privileges and oppressions, depending on the situation. For instance, age might be considered a privilege in a youth-centric society but can also be a source of oppression due to a lack of respect for young people's knowledge or expertise.
Other Examples:
Geographic Location: Living in an urban area might limit your understanding of healthcare access challenges in remote parts of Canada.
Socioeconomic Status: A higher income level might mean never having to choose between basic necessities like food, and medication.
Gender Identity: Being cis-gender might preclude experiences of being misgendered in healthcare settings.
Checklist of Identity Aspects
Age, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation: Reflect on these aspects as either privileges, oppressions, or both.
Ethnicity, Cultural Background, Socioeconomic Status: Consider how these influence your perspective on mental health and healthcare.
Education Level, Geographic Location: Think about how these factors shape your understanding of healthcare accessibility.
Religious Beliefs, Language Spoken, Relationship Status: Examine how these influence your worldview and biases.
Living Situation, Employment Status, Physical Abilities: Reflect on how these impact your perception of healthcare needs and access.
Mental Health Status, Care Responsibilities, Immigration Status: Consider how these personal experiences shape your understanding of mental health challenges.
Body Image, Neurodiversity: Acknowledge how these aspects of identity influence your perspective on mental health and treatment.
Example Guiding Questions for Reflection
How do your personal experiences and background shape your understanding and approach to mental health research?
In what ways might your cultural and social identities impact your perception and interpretation of data in mental health studies?
How could your educational and professional background either broaden or limit your viewpoint in mental health research?
What biases (conscious or unconscious) might stem from your personal beliefs and values, and how could they affect your research work? (This could also be internalized stigma!)
How does your geographic location and the community you belong to influence your understanding of mental health issues and their solutions?
In what ways do your personal experiences with healthcare (either as a recipient or provider) inform your views on accessibility and access to mental health services?
In what ways have mental health impairments or disabilities informed your views on accessibility and access to mental health services?
How might your relationship status, living situation, or care responsibilities provide unique insights or potential blind spots in this research?
Can your socioeconomic status and language abilities influence your understanding of barriers or facilitators in mental health care access?
How do you think your physical abilities and mental health status shape your empathy and understanding in mental health research?
What aspects of your identity have the most significant impact on your approach to mental health research, and how might you plan to address this in the study?
Examples Provided by Students with Their Permission
My name is Jordan, a 25-year-old Black activist and scholar confronting the enduring legacies of white supremacy and systemic racism in Toronto. As a cisgender male with he/him pronouns, I recognize my navigation through the layers of patriarchy and racial injustices. In my pursuit of a Public Health degree at the University of Toronto, I am driven by a commitment to dismantle the neoliberal structures that perpetuate health inequities among Black communities. My upbringing in a predominantly Black neighborhood has been a crucible for my understanding of racial dynamics, fueling my passion to address the mental health crisis exacerbated by systemic oppression. Experiences of racial profiling and discrimination not only inform my research but also ignite my resolve to challenge the status quo. My goal is to disrupt the conventional narrative and advocate for radical, equitable changes in healthcare, ensuring mental wellness is a right, not a privilege, for Black youth.
I am Emily, a 28-year-old white woman and disability rights advocate, challenging the oppressive structures of ableism and neoliberalism. Using a wheelchair for mobility and identifying with she/her pronouns, I confront a society built on physical able-bodied norms and the patriarchal gaze. My academic journey in Sociology at McGill University is interwoven with my activism, where I critically analyze and challenge the intersecting oppressions faced by individuals with disabilities. My physical disability is not just a personal identity; it's a political statement against a system that marginalizes and excludes based on physical conformity. My research is an act of defiance against the neoliberal healthcare system that often neglects the mental health of those with disabilities. It's a fight against the ingrained ableism in our society and a call for radical inclusivity and systemic change. I am committed to deconstructing the barriers erected by a patriarchal, ableist society and advocating for a mental health paradigm that is truly inclusive and equitable.
For examples of positionality statements, see here:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/pb-assets/assets/14756811/Positionality-Statements-1621354517813.pdf
Positionality statements are a vital tool in mental health research, helping to acknowledge personal biases and perspectives. They foster a deeper understanding of how individual experiences and identities can influence research approaches and interpretations. By considering these aspects, researchers can contribute to more nuanced, thoughtful, ethical, empathetic, and comprehensive mental health studies.
