The Palgrave Handbook of the Psychology of Sexuality and Gender

In this review of The Palgrave Handbook of the Psychology of Sexuality and Gender the bottom line is clear: this is a scholarly, wide-ranging reference for readers who need a rigorous overview of sexualities, genders and related psychological frameworks. The handbook excels at combining contemporary research with intersectional perspectives, making it useful for students, researchers and practitioners who want a comprehensive single volume. Its greatest appeal is the breadth of topics covered, from normative identities to less common relationship forms, framed within psychological theory and social context.

Key Features

• Comprehensive coverage: Combines cutting edge research to present a broad overview of many sexualities, genders and relationship forms in one place, saving readers from consulting multiple sources.
• Intersectional approach: Places sexuality and gender within psychological and intersectional contexts, helping readers understand how identity interacts with race, class and other social factors.
• Theoretical and empirical balance: Includes both psychological frameworks and research findings so readers can follow theory into practice and evidence.
• Useful for diverse audiences: Serves students, academics and clinicians by offering foundational chapters alongside specialized entries on less common identities and relationships.
• Reference utility: Acts as a handbook that readers can consult for concise summaries and up-to-date scholarship across related fields.

Who It's For

This handbook is best suited to graduate students, researchers and mental health professionals who require a detailed, academically rigorous resource on sexuality and gender within psychology. Its depth and scope make it a good fit for course reading lists, literature reviews and professional reference shelves.

It is less well matched to casual readers seeking light introductions or step-by-step self-help; those audiences may prefer shorter primers or popular books that prioritize accessibility over comprehensive academic coverage.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Broad, up-to-date compilation of research across many sexualities and genders provides a reliable single-volume reference.
• Strong intersectional framing helps contextualize identity within psychological and social systems.
• Balances theoretical foundations with empirical studies, useful for both scholars and clinicians.

Cons

• The handbook's academic tone and scope may feel dense for readers seeking a brief or popular overview.

Specifications

Title	The Palgrave Handbook of the Psychology of Sexuality and Gender
Authors / Editors	Christina Richards, Meg-John Barker
Subject Area	Psychology of sexuality and gender; intersectional social sciences
Coverage	Normative and less common sexualities, genders and relationship forms
Approach	Research-based, theoretical and intersectional
Intended audience	Students, researchers, clinicians

Our Verdict

The Palgrave handbook is a strong purchase for anyone who needs a thorough, research-led overview of sexuality and gender from psychological and intersectional viewpoints. While its academic style makes it best suited to higher-education and professional use, its breadth and balance make it good value as a reference that brings together material readers would otherwise find across many journals and books.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this handbook suitable for classroom use?
Yes. Its comprehensive chapters and scholarly citations make it appropriate for graduate courses and advanced undergraduate seminars.

Does it cover non-normative relationship forms?
Yes. The handbook explicitly includes many less common relationship forms alongside normative sexualities and genders.

Is it a practical self-help guide?
No. The book is primarily an academic reference and is not designed as a how-to or self-help manual.