And Some of Us Are Braver: Stress and Coping Among African American Women

Abstract

African American women fulfill many roles within their family and community. Most notably, these women are often defined by their “strength” and rarely seen as “vulnerable.” Many African American women demonstrate strength as they struggle to maintain employment, raise children, and nurture spouses and extended family, but these same women are at risk for a higher rate of health and emotional problems. In this article, the authors use relational cultural, stress and coping, and lifespan theories, along with Black feminist thought to discuss the interlocking effects of race, gender, and class regarding the psychological well-being of African American women 18 to 55 years old. We conclude with a discussion of research, practice, and teaching implications.

KEYWORDS:

• Stress
• coping
• lifespan
• African American
• women

Notes

The terms Black or African American are used interchangeably in this article to describe people from South Asian, African, and Caribbean backgrounds.

RCT is derived from Jean Baker Miller's work on women's development, the hallmark of which suggests that growth occurs in connection and that growth occurs through mutual empowerment and mutual empathy.