Abstract Introduction Black women in the United States frequently face cumulative and intersecting stressors, including economic hardship, caregiver burden, racial discrimination, and gender bias—factors that contribute to challenges with mental health, cardiovascular health, and sleep health. Although mobile health tools have been developed, many digital interventions do not adequately address the specific needs of Black women, as effective and equitable solutions must be grounded in their lived experiences and cultural context. This study explored the utility of mobile, virtual reality (VR) based interventions to address mental health, cardiovascular health, and sleep health challenges among Black women. Methods As part of a multi-phased, NIH-funded clinical trial (The Realist Women Study- NCT06544902), 84 Black women were screened nationwide. The qualitative phase included three structured focus groups (n = 16; age range 21–63) conducted in December 2024 and twelve individual interviews conducted in March 2025. The purpose of the initial, qualitative phase was to explore the lived experiences of intersectional stress, sleep, and cardiovascular health of diverse Black women in the US, with a specific focus on their experience with VR solutions for mental wellness. Results Six major themes emerged: personal loss; systemic challenges; varied definitions of resilience; the Superwoman Schema; concerns about heart and sleep health; and the potential role of technology in promoting self-care. While some participants express that their sleep health is improving, others report a decline. Participants describe aspects of sleep timing, defined as the specific hours they sleep, and identify factors contributing to their sleep health. These include insomnia, sleep apnea, COVID-19 stress, mental health concerns, caregiver burden, workplace pressure, and the current political climate in the United States, which is a source of anxiety that disrupts their schedule and sleep. Study participants describe a range of strategies and sources of support they use to manage their sleep, noting that some approaches may be healthier than others. For instance, some individuals report using their phones to fall asleep. Conclusion Virtual reality (VR) was perceived as a promising tool for stress reduction, particularly when culturally tailored. However, barriers such as limited digital literacy, high equipment costs, and unfamiliarity with VR-based health programs were noted. Support (if any)
Blanc et al. (Fri,) studied this question.