Date of Conferral

10-7-2026

Date of Award

October 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Susana Verdinelli

Abstract

Rooted in generations of sociohistorical expectations, the superwoman schema (SWS) is a framework embraced by many Black women that frames them as unrelenting and resilient, often at the expense of their well-being. Endorsing the SWS has been associated with positive outcomes such as achievement, family preservation, and self-worth; however, it has also been linked to increased vulnerability to mental and physical health conditions. Despite a substantial body of literature on the SWS, little was known about the experiences of children raised by women who endorse this schema. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to explore the experiences of adult children who were raised by Black women who endorse the SWS. The SWS provided the framework for the study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 adults, ages 30–65, who were raised by women who endorse the SWS. Data were analyzed using an IPA framework. Findings revealed childhoods characterized by early responsibility and high expectations within authoritarian family environments. Although participants described their mothers as hardworking and protective, participants also reported limited emotional expression, infrequent conflict resolution, self-reliance, and emotional restraint. Participants came to understand the impact of the environmental influences that shaped their mothers and intentionally redefined these patterns through emotional openness and healthier relationships. The study’s findings underscore the potential for positive social change by informing clinical interventions, educational practice, and policies that support the well-being of Black women, their children, and their families.

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