Validating the factor structure of the superwoman schema instrument in a cohort of black women with SLE

PurposeThe Giscombé Superwoman Schema Questionnaire (G-SWS-Q) consists of five sub-domains. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that disproportionately impacts Black women and for which psychosocial mechanisms are of high relevance to well-being. The main objective of this study is to validate the G-SWS-Q factor structure among a sample of Black women living with SLE using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).MethodsParticipants are part of Georgians Organized Against Lupus, a population-based SLE cohort in Atlanta. We measured SWS using the G-SWS-Q containing 35 items across five subdomains. We restricted to those identifying as Black women (<i>n</i> = 584). CFA was performed and model fit was assessed using standard fit indices and procedures for model re-specification in Mplus 8.1.ResultsThe mean age of respondents was 48 years (SD: 13.3)) and number of years of living with SLE was 16 (Median: 14.6, IQR: 7.9-21.22). All items were retained in the scale. After modifying the model by adding within latent factor error covariances, we obtained satisfactory model fit (RMSEA = 0.052; CFI = 0.90; SRMR = 0.063), which suggested that the factor structure is valid in this sample of Black women with SLE.ConclusionsOur findings confirm the factor structure suggested by G-SWS-Q for Black women living with SLE. The SWS has the potential to better understanding of psychosocial mechanisms underlying adverse health outcomes experienced by Black women by centering a gender- and race-specific orientation, with implications for engagement with health behaviors and disease management. In SLE, framing studies connecting chronic symptoms and their connection to quality of life with SWS may elucidate these mechanisms.