The Giscombe Superwoman Schema Questionnaire: Psychometric Properties and Associations with Mental Health and Health Behaviors in African American Women

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine the psychometric properties of the Giscombe Superwoman Schema Questionnaire. Three separate studies conducted with 739 African American women provided preliminary evidence that the Questionnaire’s factor structure aligns with the Superwoman Schema Conceptual Framework and has good reliability. In addition, it is positively associated with perceived stress, depressive symptoms, using food to cope with stress, poor sleep quality, and physical inactivity. This study provides preliminary evidence to suggest that the Giscombe Superwoman Schema Questionnaire is psychometrically sound; Superwoman Schema is associated with health behaviors and psychological states that may increase risk for illness.

Additional information

Funding

Dr. Woods-Giscombe received support from the National Institute of Nursing Research and the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health [grant number NR03443, 2006–2008]; the National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health [grant number T32NR007091, 2005–2007]; and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association [2007–2009]. Woods-Giscombe also received support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Faculty Scholars Program and the Josiah Macy Foundation (Macy Faculty Scholars Program). Dr. Amani M. Allen acknowledges support from the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) Hellman Fund, USA; UCB Population Center, USA; UCB Research Bridging Grant, USA; UCB Experimental Social Science Laboratory, USA; Robert Wood Johnson Health and Society Scholars Program (UCB site), USA; UC Center for New Racial Studies, USA; and the UCB Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, USA. AM Allen was also partially supported by NIMHD grant P60MD006902, USA. Dr. Angela Black was supported by an NIH-funded career development award, Building Interdisciplinary Careers in Women's Health (Stacie Geller, PI; K12HD055892 NICHD/ORWH/NIH. Charity Lackey acknowledges support from the Hillman Scholars Program in Nursing Innovation.