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The “S” Factor: Exploring the Relationship Among the Superwoman Schema

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The “S” Factor: Exploring the Relationship Among the Superwoman Schema The “S” Factor: Exploring the Relationship among the Superwoman Schema, Stress, and Self-care in Professional Black Women By Veronica M. Jones A dissertation submitted to the Graduate School - Newark Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Program in Urban Systems written under the direction of Dr. Sabrina M. Chase, Chair and approved by ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ Newark, New Jersey October 2020 © 2020 Veronica M. Jones ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Abstract The “S” Factor: Exploring the Relationship among the Superwoman Schema, Stress, and Self-care in Professional Black Women By Veronica M. Jones Dissertation Director: Dr. Sabrina M. Chase 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 ii 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. iii Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my Superwoman, my mother, Myra Walters. You have been my number one supporter, encourager, and friend. There are not enough words to express my gratitude for your love and guidance. I am the woman I am today because of you. Thank you for being my daily inspiration. iv Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge and thank my dissertation chair, Dr. Chase, and the committee members, Dr. Rubab Qureshi, Dr. Robin Eubanks, and Dr. Pamela Rothpletz-Puglia. Achieving this milestone would not have been possible without your support and guidance. It has been my privilege to work with each of you. Special thanks to Dr. Zha for assisting me with my quantitative analysis. I want to thank the 22 women who so willingly volunteered to participate in this research. Thank you for your time, openness, and insightful perspectives as we discussed strength, stress, and self-care. A special acknowledgment goes to my Sisterhood. You ladies rock! You have been great supporters, encouragers, and examples of true friendship. I would also like to thank my family and friends. Dad, grandma, and granddad, your support, understanding, and prayers kept me going when I felt like giving up. I truly appreciate you all. I would like to thank my fellow Urban Systems, cohort members. Thank you for being on this journey with me these past five years. I have learned so much from each of you. I look forward to all we will accomplish in our future endeavors. v Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................ii Dedication ............................................................................................................iv Acknowledgments ................................................................................................ v List of Tables ........................................................................................................xi List of Illustrations ................................................................................................ xii Chapter One: Introduction .................................................................................... 1 Problem Statement ............................................................................................... 2 Research Aims and Questions ............................................................................. 3 Definition of Terms ............................................................................................... 4 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................... 7 History and Justification of Research Location ..................................................... 9 Assumptions and Limitations .............................................................................. 13 Study Implications .............................................................................................. 14 Organization of the Study ................................................................................... 15 Chapter Two: Background of Conceptual Frameworks ...................................... 16 Superwoman Schema. ....................................................................................... 16 Socio-ecological Model (SEM). ........................................................................... 21 Chapter Three: Review of the Literature ............................................................. 25 Historical context of the Superwoman or Strong Black Women Archetype ........ 25 vi Stress ................................................................................................................. 31 Stress and The Superwoman ............................................................................. 35 Self-care and Coping .......................................................................................... 45 Deficiencies in Past Literature ............................................................................ 49 Limitations of previous study studies. ................................................................. 49 Suggestions for future research. ......................................................................... 51 Chapter Four: Methodology ................................................................................ 52 Research Study Design ...................................................................................... 52 Researcher’s Role .............................................................................................. 53 Research Questions. .......................................................................................... 54 Qualitative Methodology ..................................................................................... 55 Quantitative Methodology ................................................................................... 55 Study Sample and Recruitment .......................................................................... 56 Instruments and Measurement ........................................................................... 56 Data Collection ................................................................................................... 59 Data Analysis Plan ............................................................................................. 60 Qualitative Data Analysis. ................................................................................... 60 Quantitative Data Analysis ................................................................................. 61 Protection of Human Subjects ............................................................................ 62 Chapter Five: Qualitative Results ....................................................................... 64 vii Part I: Participant Demographics and the "S" Factors ........................................ 65 Study Sample Demographics ............................................................................. 65 "S" Factor 1: Strength and the Superwoman ...................................................... 69 Defining Strength ................................................................................................ 69 Familiarity with Superwoman or Strong Black Woman ......................................
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