To Be Female, Middle Class, Anxious, and Black

Abstract

Women of color theorists have suggested that the double minority status of gender and ethnicity places African American women at higher risk for anxiety. However, little information is available about anxiety disorders among African American women. The existing literature subsumes Black women under the general categoy of African Americans and focuses on low-income samples. In this study, we examine the manifestation of panic disorder in a sample of 15 predominantly middle-class African American women. We then compare these women to a group of 35 predominantly middle-class African American women without panic disorder on several factors, including presence of isolated sleep paralysis, presence of other anxiety disorders, help-seeking behavior, and victimization. Results indicate that African American women with panic disorder experienced isolated sleep paralysis, and that both groups had high levels of sexual victimization. Help-seeking among women with panic and other anxiety disorders was limited to relationship difficulties, sexual assault, and bereavement.

Hair pulling and its affective correlates in an African-American university sample

“…While this would contribute to the general underutilization of mental health service by African-American hair pullers, this does not preclude the possibility that other factors, such as resilience, may also operate. Neal- Barnett and Crowther (2000) reported that African-Americans tend to seek help with bereavement or relationships, but not with anxiety, which may be perceived as problematic, but not enough to warrant professional help. Interestingly, Neal-Barnett's example is panic, often described as one of the most debilitating of anxiety disorders.…”

“…Third, of the 3781 participants in these studies, only 18 were identified as African-American (or ''black''). Questions about the incidence of TTM among African-Americans have particular importance because of the relative absence of such individuals presenting for treatment (e.g., Neal-Barnett & Crowther, 2000).…”

Sister circles as a culturally relevant intervention for anxious Black women.

“…Clinical studies suggest that African Americans with anxiety diagnoses appear to experience the disorders for longer periods of time and at higher perceived levels of distress than their White counterparts (Friedman, Braunstein, & Halpern, 2006; Neal-Barnett & Crowther, 2000; Williams & Chambless, 1994; Williams, Chambless, & Steketee, 1998). Yet, African American adults have a lower lifetime prevalence rate for anxiety disorders than their non-Hispanic White counterparts (Breslau et al, 2005).…”

African American women's beliefs about mental illness, stigma, and preferred coping behaviors

“…Although African American women are burdened by mental illness, their use of mental health services is low (Matthews & Hughes, 2001; Neal-Barnett & Crowther, 2000). Stigma has been identified as the most significant barrier to seeking mental health services among African Americans (Thompson-Sanders, Bazile, & Akbar, 2004; U.S.…”