Abstract: TH-PO1002
Numbers Are Not Neutral: A QuantCrit Analysis of Identity Dynamics in US Nephrology Fellows
Session Information
- Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
November 06, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
- 900 Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
Authors
- Bullock, Justin L., University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- O'Hare, Ann M., University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Prince, David K., University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Bansal, Nisha, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Hauer, Karen E., University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States
- Sukhera, Javeed, Hartford HealthCare Institute of Living, Hartford, Connecticut, United States
- Teunissen, Pim, Universiteit Maastricht, Maastricht, LI, Netherlands
- Young, Bessie A., University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
Background
Stereotype threat, the fear of fulfilling negative stereotypes about one’s group, hinders academic performance through mechanisms including overwhelming working memory. Efforts to combat stereotype threat may include threat mitigation—reactive responses to identity threats—and identity safety—proactively empowering individuals to be their authentic self. The authors aimed to assess the relationship between stereotype threat, threat mitigation, identity safety, and participant demographics.
Methods
This national cross-sectional study invited all United States (US) nephrology fellows to complete a survey following the 2024 national in-training exam. The study anchored in QuantCrit, a research paradigm which challenges conventional statistical assumptions by applying critical race theory to quantitative methodologies. The survey included eight items using a 5-point Likert scale. Authors performed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to explore statistical validity for the proposed model. Exploring stereotype threat as the dependent variable, the authors compared conventional, non-QuantCrit, regression analysis to QuantCrit informed analysis. Reported associations have p<0.05.
Results
Overall, 646 of 962 fellows responded (67.2% response). Using CFA, a three-factor model achieved best fit. Participants endorsed low stereotype threat, mean out of 5.0 (SD), 1.47 (0.87), moderate threat mitigation 3.02 (1.25), and high identity safety 4.34 (0.81). In both conventional and QuantCrit regressions, threat mitigation was positively associated with stereotype threat while identity safety was inversely associated with stereotype threat. The conventional analysis showed no identity-based differences in stereotype threat. QuantCrit analysis with disaggregated identity categories showed that Southeast Asian race, Black race, international medical graduates from Asia (IMG-Asia), and IMG-Middle East had higher stereotype threat. Asian and Black fellows who were IMG-Asia or IMG-Africa, respectively, had less stereotype threat than their racial counterparts who trained in US allopathic schools.
Conclusion
Fellows who experienced more identity safety reported less stereotype threat. QuantCrit analysis demonstrated intergroup differences in stereotype threat that were not apparent from conventional analysis.
Funding
- Other NIH Support