Applying intersectionality in vision impairment research: A scoping review

Abstract

There are calls for better application of theory in health research. Applying intersectionality theory in vision impairment research is critical because it affords an in-depth understanding of social issues, including their causes. Explicit application of intersectionality theory can further enhance research and practice in vision impairment; yet, there is a paucity of research on how intersectionality theory is applied and the degree to which it can guide vision impairment research. The purpose of this scoping review was to understand how intersectionality theory has been applied within vision impairment research and how it can be used to guide further vision impairment research development. A scoping review was conducted to examine and summarize the extent, range, and nature of the application of intersectionality theory within vision impairment research. Four electronic databases were searched from inception in April 2023, resulting in 1632 unique records. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied, resulting in 19 articles being identified for further analysis. The application of intersectionality theory in vision impairment research was seen most frequently among authors in the field of anthropology and human and movement science. The way in which intersectionality theory was taken up in vision impairment research is described using three overarching themes including: (1) as a lens for the interpretation of findings; (2) as a general conceptual framework for the article; and (3) as a tool for data analysis.