Leveraging Community Engagement to Develop Culturally Tailored Stress Management Interventions in Midlife Black Women

Chronic stress is a social health determinant associated with many persistent health conditions and health disparities for midlife Black women. Midlife Black women in the United States are exposed to multiple, competing stressors, increasing their risk for adverse health outcomes. The objective of the current study was to illicit information about the key life stressors experienced by midlife Black women. Focus groups were conducted using a convenience sample of midlife Black women (N = 11, age range = 41 to 54 years). Coding and thematic analysis identified four primary sources of stress: workplace, parenting, finances, and social media. Gendered racism and discrimination and life imbalance emerged as underlying stressors linked to the Strong Black Woman persona. This persona prioritizes resilience and self-reliance while suppressing self-care. The stressors identified will inform the development of an intervention and should be considered when providing care for midlife Black women. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57(3), 32-38.].