The Strong Black Woman Collective Theory: Determining the Prosocial Functions of Strength Regulation in Groups of Black Women Friends†

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shardé M Davis ◽  
Tamara D Afifi
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Black Woman ◽  
Strong Black Woman ◽  
Women Friends

The Role of Coping in the Relationship Between Endorsement of the Strong Black Woman Schema and Depressive Symptoms Among Black Women

2021 ◽  
pp. 009579842110212
Author(s):  
Martinque K. Jones ◽  
Tanisha G. Hill-Jarrett ◽  
Kyjeila Latimer ◽  
Akilah Reynolds ◽  
Nekya Garrett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Black Woman ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Multiple Mediation ◽  
Strong Black Woman

The Strong Black Woman (SBW) schema has been consistently linked to negative mental health outcomes among Black women. However, few have begun to explicate the mechanisms by which the endorsement of the SBW schema may influence mental health outcomes. Accordingly, the current study examined coping styles (social support, disengagement, spirituality, and problem-oriented/engagement) as mediators in the association between endorsement of the SBW schema and depressive symptoms in a sample of Black women. Data from 240 Black women ( Mage = 22.0, SD = 4.0 years) were collected assessing SBW schema endorsement, coping styles, and depressive symptoms. Parallel multiple mediation analysis was conducted using PROCESS Macro. Of the four coping styles examined, disengagement coping partially mediated the association between greater endorsement of the SBW schema and greater depressive symptoms. Study findings add depth to our understanding of the association between the SBW schema and mental health outcomes and lend themselves to research and clinical implications.

scholarly journals 3278 Gendered racism, psychological distress, and the strong Black woman

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (s1) ◽  
pp. 107-107
Author(s):  
Maha Baalbaki
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Black Woman ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Strong Black Woman ◽  
Gendered Racism ◽  
Cultural Construct

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Black women experience discrimination that targets their intersecting gender and ethnic identities, termed gendered racism (Essed, 1991). The gendered racism Black women experience has been linked to negative mental health outcomes (Thomas etal., 2008). The ‘strong Black woman’ is a cultural symbol of strength depicting the Black woman as unwavered by hardships, such as gendered racism (Shorter-Gooden & Washington, 1996). However, recent research suggests that belief in the strong Black woman cultural construct is associated with negative mental health outcomes (Watson & Hunter, 2015). The goals of the current study were to (1) replicate previous findings suggesting that experiences with gendered racism is positively correlated with psychological distress, (2) replicate previous findings suggesting that belief in the strong Black woman construct is positively correlated with psychological distress, and (3) explore how experiences with gendered racism and belief in the strong Black woman construct might interact to predict distress. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: A national sample of 112 Black women completed an online survey via MTurk. Survey measures included the Gendered Racial Microaggressions Scale, Strong Black Woman Cultural Construct Scale, and Psychological Distress Scale. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Pearson correlation revealed that experiences with gendered racism was positively correlated with psychological distress, r = 0.23, p = .02. Pearson correlation also revealed that belief in the strong Black woman cultural construct was positively correlated with psychological distress, r = 0.39, p < .001. Multiple linear regression revealed an interaction between experiences with gendered racism and belief in the strong Black woman construct (β = -0.18, p = .04) that predicted psychological distress, R2 = .20, F(3,108) = 8.63, p < .01. Namely, for those with high belief in the strong Black woman construct, experiences with gendered racism did not predict distress, β = -0.31, t = -0.29, p = .78. However, for those with low belief in the construct, experiences with gendered racism positively predicted distress, β = -2.57, t = 2.31, p = .02. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The results underscore the harmful effects of gendered racism and gendered racial stereotypes on Black women’s mental health outcomes. Striving to appear as the strong Black woman is not likely to help Black women overcome daily hardships. In fact, belief in the strong Black woman construct is likely to add extra difficulties.

scholarly journals Reconceptualizing Successful Aging Among Black Women and the Relevance of the Strong Black Woman Archetype

2014 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. Baker ◽  
N. T. Buchanan ◽  
C. A. Mingo ◽  
R. Roker ◽  
C. S. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Black Woman ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Strong Black Woman

The Strong Black Woman: Insights and Implications for Nursing

2020 ◽  
pp. 107839032098390
Author(s):  
Keisha Jefferies
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Black Woman ◽  
Nursing Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Black Families ◽  
Historical Overview ◽  
Discussion Paper ◽  
Strong Black Woman ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
Care Practices

OBJECTIVE This discussion paper describes the intricacies of the strong Black woman (SBW) construct and how understanding this construct is significant and relevant within nursing. METHOD This article is a discussion piece that provides a succinct conceptual and historical overview of the SBW construct. It then describes the impacts of this construct before presenting implications as they relate to nursing practice, education, policy, and research. RESULTS The SBW construct is exclusively and routinely applied to Black women. Typically, the SBW construct encompasses five components, which center on independence, caring, and strength. These five components include the obligation to (1) always maintain and present an image of strength, (2) suppress emotion, (3) be self-reliant, (4) succeed despite all odds, and (5) always place the needs [especially comfort] of others above those of oneself. Moreover, the SBW construct posits Black women as possessing superhuman capabilities. The nature of this construct is complex, with some Black women using it as a survival mechanism, and others finding empowerment through this image. Nevertheless, recent research has revealed the harms associated with this image including detriment to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, with the implications extending to Black families and communities. CONCLUSION Understanding this topic is essential in providing support to all Black women in health care and within the Black community—including patients, nurses, faculty, staff, and students. Recognizing the implications of the SBW construct is essential toward ensuring that our care, practices, and policies are not only supportive but also antiracist.

The Way It Is

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terrion L. Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Black Woman ◽  
Reality Television ◽  
Black Female ◽  
Television Series ◽  
Strong Black Woman ◽  
Social Intimacy ◽  
The Way

This chapter examines the trope of the strong black woman by way of the “superwoman” of R&B musical parlance, particularly as expressed by R&B artist Karyn White in her 1988 hit song “Superwoman.” It extends this discussion to a consideration of the reality television series Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is in order to document the complex enactments of black female social intimacy and to say something about how black women collectively navigate trauma and pain by way of their music, as well as through their interactions with each other.

scholarly journals Do black men really love black women? : A qualitative study on how mass media shape black men's perception of black women for long-term romantic relationship -- or not

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Daphne S. Valerius
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Black Woman ◽  
Black Male ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Strong Black Woman ◽  
Media Messages ◽  
The Media

When confronted with the presence of a Black man in relationship with a non-Black woman whether in media messages or real life, more often than not Black women are also met with feelings of rejection and inadequacy. It is a form of rejection experienced by Black women that is often discussed behind closed doors, within her inner circle, in conversation with other Black women and/or trusted Black male confidantes. It is also a form of rejection that is often left unexpressed or silenced for fear of being labeled an "angry Black woman". When considered from the lens of race, the trope of the "angry Black woman" becomes even more problematic when the landscape of contemporary television media is dominated by non-fiction, reality television programming, featuring Black women displaying socially aggressive behavior. This calls into question whether or not media depictions of Black women further perpetuate the trope of the "angry Black woman" and make her less suitable or desirable for long-term romantic partnership. By taking a qualitative approach to examine media perceptions of Black women, this dissertation concerns itself with situating how colorism as an extension of whiteness, stereotypical media depictions and representations of socially aggressive behavior by Black women in the media all work in concert to further complicate perceptions of Black women as suitable long-term partners in the eyes of others -- specifically Black men. The present study situates the voices of Black men and examines how they read, receive, interpret and make meaning of media messages of Black women in order to better understand their selection and consideration of Black women as suitable partners for long-term romantic relationships in comparison to non-Black women. Taken together through the theoretical frameworks of audience reception theory, symbolic annihilation, and social aggression, the present study investigates how media portrayals of Black women and Whiteness shape heterosexual Black men's perception of Black women and their decision to be in long-term romantic relationship with Black women -- or not. The present study consists of five focus group conversations with Black male participants that reveal the most problematic media messages of Black women in consideration of long-term romantic partnership are those that perpetuate the normalization of the strong Black woman and socially aggressive behavior. Based on lived experiences with Black women, Black men recognize that the trope of the strong Black woman is problematic and misguiding. Black men are also cognizant of the fact that a Black woman's expression of passion is often misinterpreted and perpetuated by the media as anger. However, conversations with Black men further reveal that in spite of media messages, Black men love and advocate for long-term romantic relationship with Black women who they collectively agree are the ideal romantic partner for Black men regardless or shade, hue or skin tone. However, the façade of strength and media depictions of hypermasculinity as propagated in the media and internalized by Black women contributes to a level of tension between Black men and women that oftentimes pushes him away.

Trauma, Binge Eating, and the "Strong Black Woman"

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Harrington ◽  
Jan Crowther ◽  
Jillian Shipherd
Keyword(s):  
Binge Eating ◽  
Black Woman ◽  
Strong Black Woman
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document