Examining the Strong Black Woman Schema: Pathways to Suicide Risk in Black Women Through the Integrated Motivational Volitional (IMV) Model

Recent studies have shown that the endorsement of the strong Black woman (SBW) schema is associated with adverse psychological consequences. Despite these findings, there is limited understanding of the pathways or mechanisms through which this schema is associated with harmful mental health outcomes. This study explored the relation between the SBW schema and suicidal ideation through the pathways articulated in the integrated motivational volitional model of suicidal behavior, particularly defeat and entrapment. The current study employed a cross-sectional survey design to examine the relation between the SBW schema and suicidal ideation through defeat and entrapment among 270 Black women. A serial multiple mediation analysis revealed an indirect association between the SBW schema and suicidal ideation through defeat and entrapment. This study sheds light on a possible pathway through which suicidal ideation occurs in Black women and highlights the need for additional studies that explore Black women's experiences with suicide.