Counterspaces: A Unit of Analysis for Understanding the Role of Settings in Marginalized Individuals’ Adaptive Responses to Oppression

Abstract

Research and theory on the intervening variables that enable individuals who experience marginalization and oppression to achieve well-being have historically relied on an individual level of analysis. Yet, there is a growing body of literature that highlights the roles that contexts play in facilitating processes that result in wellness among marginalized individuals. This paper proposes a conceptual framework that highlights a specific type of setting, referred to as "counterspaces," which promotes the psychological well-being of individuals who experience oppression. Counterspaces are theorized to enhance well-being by challenging deficit-oriented societal narratives concerning marginalized individuals' identities. The conceptual frame proposed here suggests that "challenging" can occur through at least three processes: (1) narrative identity work, (2) acts of resistance, and (3) direct relational transactions. This paper articulates each of these challenging processes. Additionally, the utility of using the Counterspaces framework for thinking critically about and investigating how settings-and the transactional processes that unfold within them-are associated with the promotion of psychological wellness for various marginalized populations is discussed.

Dominant Cultural Narratives, Racism, and Resistance in the Workplace: A Study of the Experiences of Young Black Canadians

“…(Prilleltensky & Gonick, 1996, p. 129). Although literature within community psychology has used various conceptualizations of oppression (Case & Hunter, 2012;Fisher, Sonn & Evans, 2007;Prillelstensky, 2008), most share fundamental assumptions that oppression is: (a) multidimensional, with power relations rooted in various types of resources (e.g., cultural, psychological, material); (b) ecological, operating at multiple, interdependent levels of analysis (e.g., personal, relational, and collective); and (c) dialectical, involving various forms of resistance to domination at multiple levels of analysis.…”

“…Case and Hunter (2012) have conceptualized resistance as part of a broader spectrum of adaptive responses to adversity, which also encompasses coping (ameliorative responses to any stressors) and resilience (processes that lead to positive outcomes in spite of social adversity). Community psychologists have drawn on various theoretical perspectives to examine experiences and processes of resistance, such as empowerment (Christens, 2012), sociopolitical development (Watts, Williams & Jagers, 2003), and liberation (Garc ıa-Ram ırez, Manuel, Paloma & Hern andezPlaza, 2011).…”

“…Community psychologists have drawn on various theoretical perspectives to examine experiences and processes of resistance, such as empowerment (Christens, 2012), sociopolitical development (Watts, Williams & Jagers, 2003), and liberation (Garc ıa-Ram ırez, Manuel, Paloma & Hern andezPlaza, 2011). A small but notable body of community psychology scholarship has examined various strategies for resisting dominant cultural narratives, such as the deconstruction of social myths as a central part of critical consciousness raising (Sonn & Fisher, 2003), and the telling of counter-narratives, re-imagined narratives of the self that reject the assumptions of dominant cultural narratives, and emphasize the capacity to resist and overcome oppression (Case & Hunter, 2012;McDonald et al, 2007;Rappaport, 2000). Much of this work signals the importance of identity-focused strategies for negotiating dominant cultural narratives, and points toward a broader body of scholarship on identity work (more recently referred to as narrative identity work), which is concerned with the construction and strategic use of personal and collective identity through narrative (Case & Hunter, 2014;Ibarra & Barbulescu, 2010;Snow & Anderson, 1987).…”

Fragmented inclusion: Community participation and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people with diagnoses of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

“…This is consistent with research showing that community participation can play a role in facilitating wellness and recovery for people with mental health diagnoses (Bromley, Gabrielian, Brekke, Pahwa, Daly, Brekke, & Braslow, 2013). Similarly, LGBTQ communities can serve important functions such as enhancing mental wellbeing (LeBeau & Jellison, 2009; Paceley, Oswald, Hardesty, 2014), protecting against homophobia and pathologizing ideologies (Lewis, Bauer, Coleman, Biot, Pugh, Fraser, Powell, 2015) and serving as sites of resistance to oppression that foster wellbeing and engender solidarity (Case & Hunter, 2012, p. 268).…”

Counterstories : educational resilence of adult African American women attending an urban predominantly White university.

“…Resiliency studies regarding coping, and pertinent to the present endeavor, specifically examined external processes utilized by adult Black women for survival in their academic world and society at large (Johnson Bailey & Cervero, 1996;Brown, 2008;Case & Hunter, 2012). An exploration of these follows.…”