Powerlessness, Anger, and Stress in African American Women: Implications for Physical and Emotional Health

Abstract

African American women find themselves at a high risk of experiencing feelings of powerlessness associated with socioeconomic disparities rooted in a history of racism and sexism. The authors present a conceptual model that discusses powerlessness as a significant variable that contributes to the experience of anger and stress in African American women, and consequently to the adverse health consequences of such anger and stress. The authors review the current literature as well as census and health statistics to discern critical historical, social, and cognitive aspects of powerlessness and anger in African American women. Implications for practitioners are addressed.

Daily Hassles and African American Adolescent Females’ Psychological Functioning: Direct and Interactive Associations with Gender Role Orientation

“…Folkman and Lazarus 1985, p. 152). Several studies have demonstrated linkages between various stressors and African American females' psychological functioning (e.g., Dailey 2009;Murry et al 2008;Thomas and González-Prendes 2009;Waite and Killian 2007;Warren 1997). This work has been propelled by indications that African American adult females have higher incidence rates of stress-related disorders (Jackson and Sears 1992;cf.…”

Enhancing Breastfeeding Rates Among African American Women: A Systematic Review of Current Psychosocial Interventions

“…16,[27][28][29] Black women are also disproportionately more likely compared with white women to have poor perinatal health outcomes 22,30 and to suffer from chronic illness, 31 stress, 32,33 depression, 34 or posttraumatic stress disorder, 35 all of which are known risks associated with lower breastfeeding rates. 36 As underlying contributors to such racial health disparities, research suggests the presence of low-income status, 37 systemic discrimination, 32,33,38 living in racially segregated communities, 39 and experiencing racial disempowerment 16,[40][41][42][43] among blacks, all of which ultimately may lead to adverse overall life and health outcomes. 40,44,45 Because discrimination increases the volume of stress that one experiences, African Americans are particularly vulnerable to its adverse health impact in its various forms.…”

Black Feminisms

“…Further, this perspective in social work will assist in cultivating modes of empowerment that black women may utilize in the development of positive mental health outcomes. These can include realization of one's potential, positive coping strategies, better quality of life, and positive influence on lifestyle and behavior (Greene, 1997;Jones & Ford, 2008;Taylor, 1998;Thomas & Gonzalez-Prendes, 2009). Integral to the success of black feminisms in social work practice is the profession's full-fledged commitment to creating positive mental health outcomes through its development of treatment protocols, delivery of services, and reaffirmation of its values.…”