Powerlessness, anger, and stress in African American women: implications for physical and emotional health.
African American women find themselves at a high risk of experiencing feelings of powerlessness associated with socioeconomic disparities rooted in a history of racism and sexism. The authors present a conceptual model that discusses powerlessness as a significant variable that contributes to the experience of anger and stress in African American women, and consequently to the adverse health consequences of such anger and stress. The authors review the current literature as well as census and health statistics to discern critical historical, social, and cognitive aspects of powerlessness and anger in African American women. Implications for practitioners are addressed.
Thomas
Shirley A
SA
School of Social Work, Wayne State University, 4756 Cass Ave., 413 Thompson Home, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. sathomas@wayne.edu
González-Prendes
A Antonio
AA
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000786:Anger; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008603:Mental Health; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology*; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health