Overexposed and Underimpressed? Examining DEI Fatigue as a Factor of Status Threat, Perceived DEI Ineffectiveness, and Perceived DEI Overexposure
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2025-08-29
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en
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In a global state where the essentiality of DEI (diversity, equality, and inclusion) is continuously on
the rise, the concept of DEI fatigue has been gaining attention in popular media and among the
political right, while the academic front has remained under explored. The aim of this study was to
shed more light on this concept by analyzing its potential links to status threat, perceived DEI
ineffectiveness, perceived overexposure to DEI, and gender. This was examined via a survey among
197 corporate workers in the Netherlands across the political spectrum. A regression analysis
showed that the first three variables significantly and positively predicted DEI fatigue. Moreover,
women reported significantly less fatigue than men. Status threat and perceived overexposure
significantly correlated with the political leaning of the participants: the more people leaned
towards the political right, the more status threat and overexposure they reported. However,
political leaning did not significantly correlate with perceived ineffectiveness of DEI efforts,
signalling a less ideological foundation for this concept compared to other variables. Moreover, it
was shown that DEI fatigue is not the same concept as resistance, even though the same underlying
factors might partially explain both of them. In conclusion, while DEI fatigue might, in some
contexts, be an ideological excuse to undermine DEI efforts, in others, it may be a genuine feeling
that requires more attention from policymakers and academics
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen