Profiles in persistence: A latent profile analysis of multilevel coping strategies enacted among women in the sciences

This study examines the different ways women in STEM occupations cope with systemic stereotype threat. Although it is theorized that women in the STEM workplace engage multiple and simultaneous strategies (Block, Koch, Liberman, Merriweather, & Roberson, 2011), rarely are coping strategies studied in combination. This leaves us with an incomplete picture of coping behavior. To address this gap, we adopt a person-centered approach to examine nine multilevel strategies previously identified by Block, Cruz, Bairley, Harel-Marian, & Roberson (2019). Drawing from a sample of 515 women in male-dominated STEM, we use latent profile analysis (LPA) to uncover three distinct profiles (Preservationists, Protectors, and Protagonists) which differ by degree of strategy engagement and preferred location of response (intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional). Our findings also show profile membership is differently associated with person- (gender centrality, science identity, and stigma consciousness) and work-related factors (perceived organizational support, negative emotions at work, and exit due to gender- based bias) relevant to persistence. This work demonstrates the value of a person-centered approach in distinguishing coping profiles within and between STEM women in a naturalistic context. It also suggests STEM organizations can better support women by tailoring interventions that account for differences in coping behavior.