Are characteristics associated with strong Black womanhood linked to depression in older Black women?

Abstract

Background: Older Black women experience structural and intersectional disadvantages at the intersection of age, race, and gender. Their disadvantaged social statuses can translate into serious psychological health consequences. One concept that may aid in understanding psychosocial determinants of older Black women's depression risk is the "Strong Black Woman," which suggests that Black women have supernatural strength amidst experiencing adversity and are expected to "be strong" for others by providing self-sacrificial aid without complaint.

Objectives: Drawing inspiration from the "Strong Black Woman" concept, the current study examined whether three psychosocial factors (i.e., mastery, anger suppression, and relational demands (from spouse, children, relatives, and friends)) were associated with depressive symptoms, clinically significant depressive symptoms, and lifetime professionally diagnosed depression among older Black women (i.e., ages 50 years and older).

Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Data were drawn from the 2010 to 2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 1,217).

Methods: For past-week depressive symptoms, ordinary least squares regression analyses were conducted, and beta coefficients were reported. For clinically significant depressive symptoms (i.e., reporting three or more depressive symptoms in the past week) and lifetime professionally diagnosed depression, binary logistic regression analyses were performed, and odds ratios were reported.

Results: Higher levels of mastery were associated with lower risk for depressive symptoms and depression. Anger suppression was associated with higher risk for depressive symptoms and depression. Demands from children and one's spouse were associated with higher depressive symptoms while demands from family were associated with risk for lifetime depression diagnosis. Not having a spouse was associated with heightened risk of depressive symptoms and depression. Interestingly, demands from friends were not associated with depressive symptoms nor diagnosed depression.

Conclusion: Study findings revealed important nuances in the determinants of depression among older Black women which, in turn, has implications for research and mental health care provision in this population.

Keywords: Black women; depression; older adults; strong Black woman; superwoman schema.