Strength Under Pressure: Superwoman Schema (SWS) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among Black Women

Jasmin Washington,Dr Jill Christine Hoxmeier

doi:10.7710/2168-0620.0278

Abstract

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a prominent public health issue in the U.S., and evidence suggests that IPV disproportionately affects Black women. Additionally, Black women who are victimized may be reluctant to report and/or seek supportive services. Given these disparities, it is important to understand the context of IPV in the Black community. Although the Superwoman Schema (SWS) conceptual framework’s utility for explaining other health-related outcomes, such as mental health issues, among Black women is emerging, its use to understand the experiences of Black women and IPV in the Black community is limited. In this paper, we provide an overview of the SWS and IPV to find intersectionality between the two among Black women, including risk factors for victimization, barriers to the usage of mental health services, strength used as a coping mechanism, religious and spiritual concerns and interventions needed for Black survivors. We argue that there is great need for more research using the SWS to understand IPV among Black women, how SWS must be integrated into cultural competency training for counselors, and policies that keep Black women who report IPV safe from incarceration.

Highlights

Peer Review This work has undergone a double-blind review by a minimum of two faculty members from institutions of higher learning from around the world
Research shows that intimate partner violence (IPV) affects the Black community at disproportionate rates, compared to other racial identity groups (Young, 2018; Cho, 2011), and scholars assert that aspects of Black culture may challenge willingness or ability to report and disclose victimization (Abrams, Hill, & Maxwell, 2019; Allard, 1991)
The following outlines (1) the intersection of the five Superwoman Schema (SWS) characteristics and the evidence of disparities in reporting and help-seeking, (2) the relationship between contextual factors that contribute to the SWS and IPV, and (3) how the perceived benefits of SWS internalization may be harmful for Black survivors of IPV

Summary

Introduction

Peer Review This work has undergone a double-blind review by a minimum of two faculty members from institutions of higher learning from around the world. Black women are more likely to experience psychological issues related to victimization relative to non-Hispanic White women but are less likely to receive or utilize services for mental health (Abrams et al, 2019; Gaines, 2018; White & Satyen, 2015). Based on this emerging evidence of disparities, scholars urge greater research on IPV victimization among Black women (Campbell, 2016; Collins, 2002; West, 2005)

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