An Emerging Theory of the Persistence of Social Class Microaggressions: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study

Authors

Jennifer Cook, Marquette UniversityFollow
Caroline O'Hara, Syracuse University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2019

Publisher

Taylor & Francis (Routledge)

Source Publication

Counselling Psychology Quarterly

Source ISSN

0951-5070

Abstract

Eleven counselor education doctoral students participated in an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis study aimed to understand their social class microaggressions (SCMs) experiences. A tentative theory emerged from the data that SCMs persist to preserve homeostasis. The super-ordinate theme, Unequal, Embedded, Societal Structures is corroborated by the subordinate themes, Social Class Invisibility, Intersecting Identities, Perceptions and Assumptions about Social Class, Privilege and Unawareness about Social Class, and SCM Manifestations. Together, the superordinate theme and subsequent subordinate themes culminate in the preservation of homeostasis. We offer a data driven model to depict the theory, present participant data with extensive quotes, counseling implications, future research, and a call to the profession to resist the pull of homeostasis so SCMs no longer serve a socio-cultural purpose to oppress others.

Comments

Accepted version. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, Vol. 33, No. 4 (2019): 516-540. DOI. © 2019 Taylor & Francis (Routledge). Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Cook, Jennifer and O'Hara, Caroline, "An Emerging Theory of the Persistence of Social Class Microaggressions: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study" (2019). College of Education Faculty Research and Publications. 563.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/edu_fac/563