Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Sarah Matthey

Abstract

Mental illness disorders within the United States are on the rise. Researchers have indicated that African Americans are less likely to seek mental health compared to European Americans. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand how social support networks influence African American women between the ages of 25 and 50 in addressing the strong Black woman (SBW) schema and depression. A conceptual framework consisting of the SBW collective theory guided the study. A purposive sample of 16 African American women who use social support networks to address the SBW schema and depression was obtained through flyers posted on social media. Saldana’s approach to thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and create codes, categories, and themes. Nine themes were identified: (a) communication skills improved in social support networks, (b) a nonjudgmental place of refuge thrived in social support networks, (c) a faith-based initiative combatted depression, (d) slavery contributed to depression and the SBW schema, (e) different variations of strength resilience affected the SBW schema, (f) resolutions for depression and the SBW schema emerged in social support networks, (g) male perspectives of the SBW stigma affected the SBW schema, (h) the SBW schema contributed to self-silencing, and (i) familial support mitigated depression. Social change implications include bringing awareness to how the SBW schema and depression affect African American women and their communities. Increased knowledge of mental illness with sensitivity to African Americans culturally may improve the rates of African Americans who seek help and minimize the risk of self-silencing, depression, and stigmatization.

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