The "S" factor: exploring the relationship among the superwoman schema, stress, and self-care in professional Black women

Problem Statement: The negative impact of chronic stress on health outcomes is even greater for Black women living in the United States than for their White counterparts. Part of this difference is due to the historical trauma, structural violence, and socio-cultural factors encountered by Black women. Managing multiple roles, including the responsibilities of mothering/caregiving, while providing social, emotional, and financial support to their families and communities, further compounds the stress of many professional Black women. This study used Giscombé Superwoman Schema to examine the stressors and self-care practices of a group of professional Black women in Newark, New Jersey. Methodology: This mixed-method concurrent nested research study, interviewed 22 professional Black women about their perceptions of strength, stress, and self-care. The current study addressed five research questions: (1) How do professional Black women in Newark define strength?; (2) What are the major sources of stress within this study population?; (3) What self-care and coping practices do professional Black women in Newark utilize?; (4) Is perceived stress score associated with feelings of obligation to help others?; and (5) Is there an association between coping and self-care assessment scores? Results: Participants defined strength as overcoming adversity and moderately identified (M=56.27, SD = 16.17) with the five domains of the Giscombè Superwoman Schema. Participants implemented a variety of problem-focused coping strategies despite exhibiting high levels of perceived stress (M=31.5). Almost three-fourths of the sample (n=16) reported not using/knowing of available self-care resources in Newark. There was no statistically significant association between the PSS and the "obligation to help others" domain (r = .006; p = .789). No association could be identified between coping and self-care assessment scores. Conclusion: Study results highlight the necessity of developing self-care and stress management programs that prevent or delay chronic disease among this subset of Black women. Study results also led to the development of the "S" Factor Model, which illustrates how professional Black women in this study attempted to cope with the multiple stressors that shape health outcomes. Future research is needed to explore the application of this model among professional Black women throughout the United States.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical reference