A threats, support and hidden costs framework of coping with challenges to social identity

Despite ongoing efforts, members of stigmatised groups continue to face challenges, especially in domainswhere their group has traditionally been less represented. We present our Threats, Support and Hidden Costs framework for understanding how individuals deal with identity threats. The framework helps understand how targets are affected by and actively cope with increasingly subtle identity threats while pursuing multiple goals. We outline different types of identity threats, their triggers and consequences, and then discuss responses individuals show to cope. Next, we consider supportive factors. Finally, we note hidden costs of this self-regulation, both for oneself and others. We discuss individual-level and contextual factors affecting the experience of threat, coping responses, and effectiveness of supportive factors. Throughout we illustrate with examples from our own and others’ research across different groups. We conclude with the value, contributions, limitations and implications of our approach; and discuss leverages for change in societies and organisations.