Perceptions of superwoman schema and stress among African American women with pre-diabetes

• Published in: Archives of psychiatric nursing Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 88 - 93
• Main Authors: Sheffield-Abdullah, Karen M., Woods-Giscombe, Cheryl L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.02.2021
• Subjects: Black or African American; Emotions; Female; Focus Groups; Humans; Perception; Prediabetic State
• ISSN: 0883-9417; 1532-8228
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2020.09.011

Three focus groups were conducted with African American women with elevated cardiometabolic risk to better understand how Superwoman Schema/the strong Black woman role influences their stress and how this cognitive-emotional aspect of health may need to be targeted in future research on cardiometabolic health disparities, such as prediabetes and diabetes. Results from this study revealed that participants' descriptions of stress and the superwoman role were consistent with the Superwoman Schema Conceptual Framework, including specific emphasis on 1) an obligation to manifest strength, 2) an obligation to suppress emotions and 3) an obligation to help others. Implications for targeting Superwoman Schema and stress as social determinants of health are described. •African Americans have disproportionately high rates of stress-related health conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.•Frameworks such as allostatic load, weathering, and Superwoman Schema suggest that social factors influence stress-related disparities.•Superwoman Schema characteristics, including emotional suppression and caregiving are salient for African American women with prediabetes.•Research interventions to reduce stress-related disparities in African American women should address Superwoman Schema characteristics.