Full Description
African American women have commonly been portrayed as "pillars" of their communities-resilient mothers, sisters, wives, and grandmothers who remain steadfast in the face of all adversities. While these portrayals imply that African American women have few psychological problems, the scientific literature and demographic data present a different picture. They reveal that African American women are at increased risk for psychological distress because of factors that disproportionately affect them, including lower incomes, greater poverty and unemployment, unmarried motherhood, racism, and poor physical health. Yet at the same time, rates of mental illness are low. This invaluable book is the first comprehensive examination of the contradictions between the strengths and vulnerabilities of this population. Using the contexts of race, gender, and social class, In and Out of Our Right Minds challenges the traditional notions of mental health and mental illness as they apply to African American women.
Contents
Part I. Introduction 1. A Conceptual Model of Mental Well-Being for African American Women, by Diane R. Brown Part II. Mental Health and Mental Illness Among African American Women 2. The Epidemiology of Mental Disorders and Mental Health Among African American Women, by Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith 3. Changing their Minds: Drug Abuse and Addiction in Black Women, by Lula A. Beatty Part III. Race, Gender, and Cultural Influences on the Mental Well-Being of African American Women 4. (Dis)Respected and (Dis)Regarded: Experiences of Racism and Psychological Distress, by Diane R. Brown, Verna M. Keith, and James S. Jackson 5. Violence and Mental Health, by Evelyn L. Barbee 6. Color Matters: The Importance of Skin Tone for African American Women's Self-Concept in Black and White America, by Verna M. Keith and Maxine S. Thompson Part IV. Social Roles, Social Statuses, and the Mental Well-Being of African American Women 7. Intimate Relationships and Psychological Well-Being, by M. Belinda Tucker 8. Low-Income Single Black Mothers: The Influence of Nonresident Fathers' Presence on Mental Well-Being, by Aurora P. Jackson 9. Sho' Me the Money: The Relationship Between Social Class and Mental Health Among Married Black Women, by Pamela B. Jackson 10. Life Ain't Been No Crystal Stair: Employment, Job Conditions, and Life Satisfaction Among African American Women, by Anna L. Riley and Verna M. Keith 11. Multiple Social Roles and Multiple Stressors for Black Women, by Diane R. Brown and Donna L. Cochran Part V. Keeping On. Keeping On 12. Keeping the Faith: Religion, Stress, and Psychological Well-Being Among African American Women, by Karen D. Lincoln and Linda M. Chatters 13. The Benefits and Costs of Social Support for African American Women, by Beverly A. Gray and Verna M. Keith 14. Patterns of Mental Health Services Utilization Among Black Women, by Cleopatra H. Caldwell Part VI. Conclusion 15. In and Out of Our Right Minds: Strengths, Vulnerabilities, and the Mental Well-being of African American Women, by Verna M. Keith
