I Heal, She Heals
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I HEAL, WE HEAL: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF BLACK CANADIAN WOMEN’S EXPERIENCES OF DEPRESSION AND COPING by Deone Curling A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education Graduate Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto © Copyright by Deone Curling 2013 I HEAL, WE HEAL: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF BLACK CANADIAN WOMEN’S EXPERIENCES OF DEPRESSION AND COPING Doctor of Education 2013 Deone Curling Graduate Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development University of Toronto Abstract The psychological literature on mental health has shown that oppressions such as racism, sexism and classism can be extremely stressful. Thus individuals' identities, such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status, and the oppression these can lead to have clinical implications. The current research sought to investigate the intersection of Black Canadian women's identities and how it contributes to their unique experience of depression and coping. The aim of this study was to identify significant experiences of depression and coping of this population in order to develop a theory of healing. The current literature on Black female depression is dominated by Black American and Black British women’s experiences. Black Canadian women’s experiences resemble those of these groups in terms of marginalization, discrimination, and unequal access. However, patterns of migration and the specifics of race relations and diversity issues differ between these countries. To address this gap in the literature, this study specifically explored Black Canadian women's experiences of depression and how they cope. The participants in the study were 20 Black Canadian women who self-diagnosed with depression. This research employed a qualitative methodology of constructivist grounded theory to provide a detailed description of the participants’ journeys through depression, coping, and ii healing. The findings suggest that there are distinct and unique ways of experiencing and coping with depression among Black Canadian women. Healing was revealed to be a relational phenomenon involving self, family, and community. A theoretical framework of healing was developed from the interconnections of the multiple complex layers of the healing process. Isolating the themes of the Strong Black Woman, mother- daughter relationships, and transgenerational trauma/resilience transmission provided a means to illustrate their paradoxical influences on depression. These themes illustrate the reality of Black Canadian women’s lives dealing with depression. Understanding the role that the stereotype of the Strong Black Woman and intergenerational relations play in depression and recognizing the importance of community engagement and self-definition puts Black Canadian women on the road to healing. iii Acknowledgments In line with the popular African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” I say that it takes a village to produce a dissertation (Timothy, 2007). There are so many (living and non- living) beings that held me close and supported me. So many blessings I received to make this dissertation possible. First, I thank the women who participated in this research for the courage that allowed them to share their stories. I am humbled by their resilience and by their willingness to expose the most intimate parts of themselves to let other Black Canadian women struggling with depression know that they are not alone. Remarkably, they have also shared wisdom to guide mental health practitioners in their work. Second, I thank my family and friends: My husband, Dave, for everything he has done for me—this project would not have been possible without his understanding and commitment. His love, encouragement, and compassion will never be forgotten: he is a very special person. I thank my children, Solagne and Quinn, for understanding why Mommy couldn’t always be there. I would like to also thank my mom and dad, sister Nicole and also Hyacinth and Cedric for watching my children and encouraging me throughout the process of researching and writing. My friends—Rojean, Carolyne, Charmaine, Anu, Mercedes, Roberta and Eimear—thank you for believing in me. I appreciate you all more than you will ever know. Third, I thank my dedicated supervisor Roy Moodley who stood by me, checked in on me, and was always available for me. His critical feedback inspired me to dig deeper and work harder. He pushed me to realize my full potential. I thank you for your commitment and hard work throughout this process. I am also grateful to my two committee members, Charmaine iv Williams and Njoki Wane, for their encouragement and support. They are two brilliant and resilient Black women I truly admire, and like whom I aspire to be. Finally, I thank the ancestors, particularly my grandmother, Maisie, whom I never met in person but whose presence I felt holding, guiding, and nurturing me. I know this thesis would not have been possible if it was not for her. I dedicate this work to her; her life was not in vain but serves as an inspiration to my generation and to the generations ahead. I love and thank you. v Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iv Chapter One Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 Rationale and Background for the Study .................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................................ 9 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................................. 10 Objectives and Goals ................................................................................................................ 16 The Research Question ............................................................................................................. 17 Study Implications .................................................................................................................... 17 Road Map of the Thesis ............................................................................................................ 18 Summary ................................................................................................................................... 18 Chapter Two Literature Review: Depression and Black Women ................................................. 21 Depression: A Mainstream Approach ....................................................................................... 23 Depression and Culture ............................................................................................................. 25 Depression, Race, and Racism in the Lives of Black Women ................................................. 29 Depression and Gender and Sexism in the Lives of Black Women ......................................... 33 Depression and Socioeconomic Status in the Lives of Black Women ..................................... 36 Depression and Intersectionality in the Lives of Black Women .............................................. 38 Depression and Black Canadian Women .................................................................................. 41 Summary ................................................................................................................................... 46 Chapter Three Literature Review: Coping and Black Women ..................................................... 50 Coping: A Mainstream Approach ............................................................................................. 52 Coping and Culture ................................................................................................................... 56 Coping and Racism ................................................................................................................... 60 Coping and Gender and Sexism in the Lives of Black Women ............................................... 63 Coping and Socioeconomic Status in the Lives of Black Women ........................................... 66 Coping and Intersectionality in the Lives of Black Women ..................................................... 68 Coping and Black Canadian Women ........................................................................................ 72 Summary ................................................................................................................................... 75 vi Chapter Four Methodology ........................................................................................................... 77 Grounded Theory ...................................................................................................................... 78 Rationale for Using Constructivist Grounded Theory Methodology ....................................... 80 Position of the Researcher ........................................................................................................ 83 Procedure .................................................................................................................................