An Exploratory Examination of the Ubiquity of the “Strong Black Woman” Schema

Research has shown that internalization of the Strong Black Woman (SBW) Schema is associated with negative psychological outcomes, such as depression and anxiety. The current study aimed to determine the ubiquity of the SBW Schema by exploring the extent to which Black women who endorse schema characteristics do so consistently or differently across demographic characteristics including age, income level, marital status, and motherhood status. Black women of diverse backgrounds ( N = 222) were surveyed and statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in endorsement of SBW schema characteristics based on age (millennials compared to older generations), marital status, and motherhood status. However, findings showed that Black women with higher levels of income were less likely to endorse a SBW Schema characteristic compared to those with lower levels of income. This exploratory research supports existing literature that suggests the SBW Schema is embraced by Black women of diverse backgrounds and clarifies the importance of socioeconomic status as it pertains to SBW endorsement. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.