The Strong Black Woman Concept: Implications for Research and Practice

Abstract

The Strong Black Woman concept has been proposed as a cultural factor impacting depression in African American women. This three-manuscript dissertation: 1) examines the breadth of literature on the relationship between the Strong Black Woman concept and depression using a scoping review; 2) examines the relevance of the Strong Black Woman concept for women’s roles in their families and community using a qualitative secondary analysis; and 3) synthesizes the findings from manuscripts one and two into a synthesis model for future research and clinical practice. Results from these studies indicate that there are some inconsistencies in definitions of the Strong Black Woman concept between the qualitative and quantitative studies within the scoping review, and between the scoping review and the qualitative study. These inconsistencies make replication and generalization of findings difficult. Moreover, published literature tends to suggest that the Strong Black Woman characteristics are somehow maladjusted or abnormalize or the concept. This tendency obscures the cultural value to African American culture and community. Future research and clinical practice should examine and incorporate the positive aspects of this important cultural concept.