Date of Conferral
9-17-2024
Date of Award
September 2024
Degree
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
School
Psychology
Advisor
Michael Langlais
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) encompass a spectrum of adversities that can impact mental and physical health in adulthood, particularly in Black women. Although there was a substantial body of research on the consequences of ACEs and the coping strategies employed by Black women, there remained a gap in understanding the nuanced experiences of those who develop a Strong Black Woman (SBW) schema. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of developing an SBW schema among resilient Black women who had faced ACEs. The research was grounded in resilience theory and SBW schema and provided insights into the protective factors that empowered resilient Black women to thrive despite adversity, including adopting the SBW schema as a coping mechanism. A purposeful sample of 10 participants was recruited for in-depth interviews regarding their experiences developing an SBW schema, and thematic analysis was employed. These seven themes were experiencing childhood adversity and traumatic events, harnessing resilience and overcoming adversity, navigating negative stereotypes, suppressing emotions and vulnerability around others, bearing the weight of responsibility for family and community, embarking on a journey of self-reflection and growth, and cultivating community through social support and mentorship. Findings may inform effective intervention strategies and may be used to develop practices and programs that address mental health disparities while promoting cultural competence, thereby contributing to positive social change.
Recommended Citation
Dickson, Lindsey Erin, "The Lived Experiences of Developing a Strong Black Woman Schema for Resilient Black Women With Adverse Childhood Experiences" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 16364.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/16364
