Black Women and Stress

Research on black women and stress indicates that the most common coping mechanisms used by African American women are problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies. In addition, African American women experience sexism, transphobia, homophobia, and other isms at work, which may contribute to stress and depression. To address these issues, there are many different strategies and approaches.

Social stress theory

Black women in the United States are exposed to high social stress. This stress may be one of the contributors to poor mental health outcomes among Black women. Other contributing factors include age and marital status. Older Black women may have a greater likelihood of experiencing significant psychological difficulties due to increased financial strain and decreased social support. In addition, they report higher rates of depressive symptoms.

Black women often experience social stress due to racism and sexism. This causes them to feel pressured to hide their negative emotions. This often leads to the stereotype of "angry black women." Psychiatrists who work with Black women say that there is still much work to do to improve the mental health of black women. One solution is to improve access to licensed, culturally competent doctors and mental health practitioners and to combat isms.

Coping strategies

Black women face unique challenges and experiences, and coping strategies may be vital. The increased number of news stories about violence and racial disparities may lead to increased stress, anxiety, grief, and depression. Furthermore, black women often face disproportionate economic impacts, wage gaps, and pressures of being “the first of” and “The Only One.” They are also often key leaders of social, political, community, faith, family, and social justice movements. This, in turn, can make the strain of coping with these factors even more intense.

One coping strategy may be a dynamic approach. This method of coping can inform therapeutic interventions. For example, a therapist can use an emotional-approach system to understand clients’ emotional responses. Dr. Nyasha Junior, a black provider, explains that emotional-approach coping can be effective for black women.

Impact of Stigma & SES

Several factors are associated with poor mental health among African American women, including the stigma often associated with receiving mental health support. Social environment also plays a role in black women’s mental health. The research suggests that the effects of SES on black women's mental health may be indirect, but they may nonetheless be significant.

Research has shown that the SES of African American women is related to what is referred to as “allostatic load,” although the exact mechanism remains to be determined. It may be related to psychological responses to chronic stressors and systemic disadvantages. The first indicator of SES is employment. Employment provides financial rewards and provides opportunities for creative expression and self-fulfillment. The quality of one's work is an essential aspect of life satisfaction. However, studies have shown that black women are disproportionately employed in less satisfying, physically and mentally taxing occupation and are also more likely to work in environments that fail to support black women.

Spirituality

Spirituality has become a critical part of African American culture. These traditions include faith, prayer, meditation, and spiritual community building. They provide essential stress relief in everyday life. In a world where pressures, responsibilities, and stressors are increasing, spirituality can help women cope.

Research has found that spirituality is associated with better health outcomes for women. Spirituality and religious practices have been associated with increased mammography rates and higher resistance to HIV diagnosis. As a result, these approaches can be helpful in public health interventions for ethnic women. But there is more to spirituality and health than just coping with stress.

Many African Americans rely on informal sources of support, such as church and clergy, family, and friends. Women, in particular, often rely on their communities for emotional and social support. Black women can often gather in informal settings such as beauty shops (a her/storic place of activism and refuge), justice organizations, sororities, and at their kitchen tables with their elders. Cathartic techniques can help women cope with psychological stress and their families’ needs in these situations.

Self-help groups

Black women often feel alone when they are dealing with stress and anxiety. Depression and anxiety symptoms are often seen as a sign of weakness, but they are not. Many black women are stereotyped as “strong,” which can mean many things, such as not crying when sad, and being mythologically stereotyped as impervious to pain. This falsehood, among others, has led to terrible medical results, among other outcomes. Having a trusted person can help you feel less alone. Practicing mindfulness can also help you manage your symptoms. You can download free apps that teach you how to meditate.

Stress is an issue that Black women in particular, need to tackle. From the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 to the heightened news cycle, Black women are faced with multiple factors that can cause them to feel overwhelmed. These factors increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and isolation.