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Smith SB, Abshire DA, Magwood GS, Herbert LL, Tavakoli AS, Jenerette C. Unlocking Population-Specific Treatments to Render Equitable Approaches and Management in Cardiovascular Disease: Development of a Situation-Specific Theory for African American Emerging Adults. J Cardiovasc Nurs 2024; 39:E103-E114. [PMID: 37052582 PMCID: PMC10564967 DOI: 10.1097/jcn.0000000000000986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging adulthood (18-25 years old) is a distinct developmental period in which multiple life transitions pose barriers to engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors that reduce cardiovascular disease risk. There is limited theory-based research on African American emerging adults. OBJECTIVE This article introduces a synthesized empirically testable situation-specific theory for cardiovascular disease prevention in African American emerging adults. METHODOLOGY Im and Meleis' integrative approach was used to develop the situation-specific theory. RESULTS Unlocking Population-Specific Treatments to Render Equitable Approach and Management in Cardiovascular Disease is a situation-specific theory developed based on theoretical and empirical evidence and theorists' research and clinical practice experiences. DISCUSSION African American emerging adults have multifaceted factors that influence health behaviors and healthcare needs. Unlocking Population-Specific Treatments to Render Equitable Approaches and Management in Cardiovascular Disease has the potential to inform theory-guided clinical practice and nursing research. Recommendations for integration in nursing practice, research, and policy advocacy are presented. Further critique and testing of the theory are required.
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Henry CJ, Song MK. Use of the Strong Black Woman Construct in Research: An Integrative Review. ANS Adv Nurs Sci 2024; 47:E110-E120. [PMID: 37192599 DOI: 10.1097/ans.0000000000000501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
This was an integrative review of the literature on research using the strong Black woman (SBW) construct. We searched for data-based articles that mentioned SBW and examined topical areas of investigation, health outcomes and other constructs associated with SBW, and methods used to assess SBW. We found 47 articles. SBW was used to study coping with trauma (n = 11) or perceived offense (n = 10), or engaging in health-seeking behaviors (n = 10). Eighteen studies suggested that SBW was linked to several major health conditions (eg, hypertension, obesity, heart disease) and depressive and anxiety symptoms. SBW was positively correlated with undesirable coping behaviors (eg, self-silencing, maladaptive perfectionism) and negatively associated with self-compassion and help-seeking. The most common method of assessing SBW was using a structured questionnaire (n = 21). Longitudinal studies to examine the impact of SBW belief on Black women's coping with hardship were lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie J Henry
- Author Affiliations: Capstone College of Nursing, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (Dr Henry); and Center for Nursing Excellence in Palliative Care, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Song)
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Erving CL, Zajdel RA, Blevins KM, Fields ND, Martin ZT, McKinnon II, Parker R, Murden RJ, Udaipuria S, Swanson S, Booker B, Burey T, Vaccarino V, Moore RH, Johnson DA, Lewis TT. The association between Superwoman schema and subjective sleep quality among Black women. Sleep Health 2024; 10:302-307. [PMID: 38403559 PMCID: PMC11162945 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Similar to women overall, Black women are socialized to be communal and "self-sacrificing," but unlike women from other racial/ethnic backgrounds, Black women are also socialized to be "strong" and "invulnerable." This phenomenon is labeled Superwoman schema. This study examined associations between Superwoman schema endorsement and subjective sleep quality. METHODS Participants included 405 Black women (ages 30-46). Superwoman schema was measured using a 35-item scale capturing five dimensions: obligation to present strength, suppress emotions, resistance to vulnerability, motivation to succeed, and obligation to help others. Superwoman schema overall and the five dimensions/subscales were analyzed. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to investigate overall subjective sleep quality (range: 0-19), poor sleep quality (PSQI >5), and specific sleep domains (eg, sleep duration, sleep disturbances). We fit linear and binary logistic regression models, adjusting for health-related and sociodemographic factors. RESULTS Superwoman schema dimension obligation to help others was associated with lower overall subjective sleep quality (β: .81, 95%CI=0.29, 1.32) and poor sleep quality (OR: 1.55, 95%CI=1.10, 2.19), as well as bad subjective sleep quality (OR: 1.76, 95%CI=1.18, 2.66), sleep disturbances (β: .73, 95%CI =0.07, 1.41), and daytime sleepiness (OR: 2.01, 95%CI=1.25, 3.26). Suppress emotions (OR: 1.41, 95%CI=1.01, 1.99) was associated with poor subjective sleep quality. Superwoman schema overall was associated with daytime sleepiness (OR: 2.01, 95%CI=1.06, 3.82). CONCLUSION Superwoman schema endorsement, especially obligation to help others and suppress emotions, may be important psychosocial risk factors for Black women's sleep health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy L Erving
- University of Texas at Austin, Department of Sociology & Population Research Center, Austin, Texas, USA.
| | - Rachel A Zajdel
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Division of Intramural Research, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kennedy M Blevins
- University of California, Irvine, School of Social Ecology, Department of Psychological Science, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Nicole D Fields
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Zachary T Martin
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Izraelle I McKinnon
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rachel Parker
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Department, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Raphiel J Murden
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Department, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Shivika Udaipuria
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Seegar Swanson
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Department, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Bianca Booker
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Taylor Burey
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Viola Vaccarino
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Reneé H Moore
- Drexel University, Dornsife School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dayna A Johnson
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Tené T Lewis
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Erving CL, McKinnon II, Van Dyke ME, Murden R, Udaipuria S, Vaccarino V, Moore RH, Booker B, Lewis TT. Superwoman Schema and self-rated health in black women: Is socioeconomic status a moderator? Soc Sci Med 2024; 340:116445. [PMID: 38043442 PMCID: PMC10959495 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Superwoman Schema (SWS) construct elucidates Black women's socialization to be strong, suppress their emotions, resist vulnerability, succeed despite limited resources, and help others at their own expense. Drawing from intersectionality and social psychological research on self-schemas, this study examined the extent to which SWS was associated with Black women's self-rated health. We also investigated whether socioeconomic status (SES) moderated the association between SWS, its five dimensions, and self-rated health. METHODS Data were from the Mechanisms Underlying Stress and Emotions (MUSE) in African-American Women's Health Study, a cohort of African American self-identified women. SWS was assessed using Giscombé's 35-item Superwoman Schema Scale. Socioeconomic status was measured by household income and educational attainment. Ordered logistic regression models were used and statistical interactions were run to test for moderation (N = 408). RESULTS First, SWS dimension "obligation to help others" was associated with worse self-rated health (p < .05). Second, household income, but not education, moderated the association between SWS and self-rated health (p < .05): SWS overall was associated with worse self-rated health among higher income women but better self-rated health among lower income women. Third, income moderated the association between SWS dimension "obligation to present an image of strength" and self-rated health (p < .05): presenting strength was associated with better self-rated health for lower income women only. Fourth, moderation results revealed that SWS dimension "obligation to help others" was inversely associated with self-rated health particularly among higher income women. CONCLUSIONS Findings speak to the complex interplay between SES and SWS dimensions as they relate to Black women's perceived health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy L Erving
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Liberal Arts, Department of Sociology, Population Research Center, USA.
| | - Izraelle I McKinnon
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, USA
| | - Miriam E Van Dyke
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, USA
| | - Raphiel Murden
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Department, USA
| | - Shivika Udaipuria
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, USA
| | - Viola Vaccarino
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, USA
| | - Reneé H Moore
- Drexel University, Dornsife School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, USA
| | - Bianca Booker
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, USA
| | - Tené T Lewis
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, USA
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Zarhin D. The pull into wakefulness: How sociocultural categories intersect to shape sleep opportunity and sleep ability in Israel. Sleep Health 2023; 9:852-859. [PMID: 37689504 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2023.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Prior studies have documented the existence of sleep disparities between social groups and have proposed possible reasons for these gaps. To extend these empirical findings, the current study elucidates whether and how intersections between sociocultural identities shape the lived experience and management of sleep and sheds light on the social factors that explain within-group heterogeneity. METHODS This article draws on semi-structured interviews with 66 employed Israelis, aged 40-60, conducted between February 2020 and February 2022. Participants were selected using a non-probability purposeful sampling design that sought to include individuals with a wide range of sociodemographic backgrounds in terms of gender, ethnonationality, socioeconomic status, religion, and religiosity as well as the quality of sleep. RESULTS The analysis shows that intersections of gender, socioeconomic status, ethnonationality, religion, and religiosity prompt qualitatively different understandings, experiences, and management of sleep, in a way that affects both sleep opportunity and sleep ability. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes to the scholarly understanding of the social determinants of sleep by highlighting the significance of the intersections of sociocultural identities for sleep health and implementing a nuanced socioecological approach to understanding within-group variability. The results call for the design of tailored interventions that consider the sociocultural context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Zarhin
- Department of Sociology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
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Erving CL, Zajdel R, McKinnon II, Van Dyke ME, Murden RJ, Johnson DA, Moore RH, Lewis TT. Gendered Racial Microaggressions and Black Women's Sleep Health. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY QUARTERLY 2023; 86:107-129. [PMID: 38371316 PMCID: PMC10869115 DOI: 10.1177/01902725221136139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Gendered racial microaggressions reflect historical and contemporary gendered racism that Black women encounter. Although gendered racial microaggressions are related to psychological outcomes, it is unclear if such experiences are related to sleep health. Moreover, the health effects of gendered racial microaggressions dimensions are rarely investigated. Using a cohort of Black women (N = 400), this study employs an intracategorical intersectional approach to (1) investigate the association between gendered racial microaggressions and sleep health, (2) assess whether gendered racial microaggressions dimensions are related to sleep health, and (3) examine whether the gendered racial microaggressions-sleep health association persists after accounting for depressive symptoms and worry. Gendered racial microaggressions were associated with poor sleep quality overall and four specific domains: subjective sleep quality, latency, disturbance, and daytime sleepiness. Two gendered racial microaggressions dimensions were especially detrimental for sleep: assumptions of beauty/sexual objectification and feeling silenced and marginalized. After accounting for mental health, the effect of gendered racial microaggressions on sleep was reduced by 47 percent. Future research implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel Zajdel
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Kalinowski J, Wurtz H, Baird M, Willen SS. Shouldering the load yet again: Black women's experiences of stress during COVID-19. SSM - MENTAL HEALTH 2022; 2:100140. [PMID: 35974954 PMCID: PMC9371978 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmmh.2022.100140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Black women in the United States experience considerable amounts of stress, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior studies have linked stress to adverse mental and physical outcomes for Black women and, moreover, shown that Black women are more susceptible to maladaptive coping, which compounds these risks. Research on the Superwoman Schema and Sojourner's Syndrome, for instance, shows how Black women are compelled to portray strength and resilience while suffering internally and experiencing poor health outcomes. These phenomena can be attributed to the historical expectations of Black women to be pillars of their families and sources of strength despite adversity and persistent institutional discrimination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Black women's greater likelihood of holding “essential worker” roles has further increased their risk of both COVID-19 exposure and heightened stress. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated long standing structural inequities and disparities between Black women and other racial/ethnic groups. Drawing on journal entries submitted by Black women participating in the Pandemic Journaling Project (PJP), a combined online journaling platform and interdisciplinary research study, this paper illuminates the voices of Black women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-two Black women created journal entries using the PJP platform. We analyze the stories, idioms, and feelings they recorded during a global pandemic. We identify three prominent domains of stress: work and school, caregiving, and social (dis)connectedness. In addition to exploring manifestations of stress across these domains, we, discuss some of the mental health implications of COVID-19 and explore the potential for regular journaling as a possible mode of stress management among Black women.
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