Thesis
"I'm a Srong Independent Black Woman": The Cost of Strong Black Woman Schema Endorsement
(2019)
Abstract
The Strong Black Woman Schema (SBWS) is a cultural expectation placed on black women to
unfailingly display signs of strength and caretaker qualities, while suppressing their emotions.
The present study aimed to examine the relationship between the SBWS and psychological
distress, suicidal behaviors, and resilience. Researchers expected to find a positive relationship
between the SBWS and psychological distress, a positive relationship between the SBWS and
resilience, and an undefined relationship between the SBWS and suicidal behaviors. The study
also examined the potential moderating effects of the SBWS and resilience on the existing
psychological distress-suicidal behaviors relationship. Lastly, the study examined how
socioeconomic status moderates the relationship between the SBWS and psychological distress.
It was expected that the SBWS and resilience would weaken the relationship between
psychological distress and suicidal behaviors; higher socioeconomic status would weaken the
relationship between the SBWS and psychological distress. Researchers recruited 177 black
women to take a 30-minute survey. A bivariate correlation analysis showed that the SBWS
shares a positive relationship with psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and
stress, and suicidal behaviors. However, resilience was not associated with the SBWS. Resilience
was found to moderate the psychological distress-suicidal behaviors relationship, while the
SBWS did not. Socioeconomic status did not moderate the relationship between the SBWS and
psychological distress. The findings of this study bear important clinical and community
implications. By determining the harmful effects of the SBWS, further research can be
conducted on how black woman, mental health professionals, and community advocates can
mitigate its effects.
Keywords
- black women,
- mental health,
- strong black woman schema,
- superwoman schema,
- psychology
Disciplines
Publication Date
Spring May 1, 2019
Degree
Honors in the Major Thesis
Field of study
Psychology
Citation Information
Stephanie Castelin and Grace White. ""I'm a Srong Independent Black Woman": The Cost of Strong Black Woman Schema Endorsement" (2019) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/stephanie_castelin/1/