STRESS AND COPING AMONG PROFESSIONAL BLACK WOMEN

Professional Black womens (PBW) experiences with work-related stress are rooted in the social, political, and economic context of the work environment. Historically, this environment has been characterized by blocked opportunities for mobility along with intersection of race and gender discrimination. The specific aims of this study were: (1) to describe the coping responses of PBW using Lazarus and Folkmans theoretical model for stress and coping and (2) to describe the coping resources PBW use in response to work-related stress. Study findings did not support any of the hypotheses related to the theoretical model. PBW were more likely to use emotion-focused coping in response to work-related stress. Engaging ones spiritual and/or religious belief were theorized as an emotion focused response to stress, however, among this sample, practices such as praying or belief in God were reported as a powerful problem focused coping strategy. This book is about the intersection of gender, race, and socio-economic class and how Black women cope with work-related stress. Discussions include implications for social work intervention, anti-discrimination policy, social work education and research.