Abstract
Black women have a unique sociocultural and historical context that impacts their health. Research indicates that the Strong Black Woman schema (SBWS) can serve as a coping strategy for the specific array of stressors faced by Black women. The primary aim of this integrative systematic review was to explore the associations between Strong Black Woman schema and wellness/health outcomes, and to review the available or emerging SBWS-related interventions targeting wellness and mental health for Black women. This review posed the questions: (1) What health/wellness outcomes have been identified or hypothesized to be related to the SBWS? (2) What relationships between the SBWS and health/wellness outcomes of Black women have been found in the research? More specifically, what relationships have been found between the five facets of SBWS (resistance to vulnerability, obligations to show strength, suppression of emotion, caregiving of others, and striving for success despite limited resources) and health/wellness outcomes among Black women? (3) How do wellness and mental health interventions for Black women consider the role of the SBWS? A meta-aggregative approach revealed SBWS can be an asset for trauma management, confidence/self-esteem, and resilience, but confer greater health risk in the context of stress management, depression, and anxiety. Relationships between SBWS and outcomes varied at the facet levels of analysis. Data from the three included interventions suggests effective treatments should incorporate psychoeducation on the sociohistorical context of Black women in the United States, specific interventions for stress management, self-compassion practices, reframing ideas of strength, and group interventions that are comprised only of Black women.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
African American women—Health; African American women—Mental health
Date of Award
2024
School Affiliation
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Department/Program
Psychology
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate
Faculty Advisor
Shelly Harrell
Recommended Citation
Smith, Breanna, "The strong Black woman schema, wellness outcomes, and mental health interventions: an integrative systematic review" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 1555.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/1555