In the company of my sisters: sister circles as an anxiety intervention for professional African American women.
BACKGROUND
Sister circles have been used within African American communities to raise awareness about physical health. The possibility exists that sister circles could be used to educate and teach women strategies about managing anxiety and panic. In this paper we examine professional Black women's conceptualization of panic attacks and other related anxiety issues. Then, we explore the feasibility of sister circles as a psycho-educational anxiety intervention for African American professional women.


METHODS
Four focus groups (n=37) were conducted. Focus group interviews were transcribed and were coded into three categories: (a) a major theme; (b) a minor theme; or (c) an off-topic comment. Specifically, we generate information regarding the key content and research components of a sister circle for African American female professionals.


RESULTS
Focus group members saw a distinct difference between anxiety and panic. The number of African American women who experienced was seen as low. Women felt sister circles were a nice vehicle for helping African American women manage their anxiety and panic. Confidentially was a key component. Sister circles for anxiety and panic were seen as a natural outgrowth of African American women's professional networks.


CONCLUSIONS
Limited data were collected on participant's anxiety levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, sister circles were seen as feasible interventions for African American professional women. The data from the focus groups were used to enhance the development of a sister circle intervention for anxious professional African American women.
Neal-Barnett
Angela M
AM
Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, United States. aneal@kent.edu
Stadulis
Robert
R
Payne
Margaret Ralston
MR
Crosby
Lori
L
Mitchell
Monica
M
Williams
Lakisha
L
Williams-Costa
Crystal
C
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult