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Cited by 128Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumMaternal and Neonatal HealthcareMaternal and Perinatal Health Interventions

Dealing with it: Black Caribbean women's response to adversity and psychological distress associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood

Edge, Dawn, Rogers, Anne·2005·Social Science & Medicine
DOI 10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.11.047
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Abstract

This paper focuses on Black Caribbean women's ideas about perinatal depression and the ways in which these are linked to coping with personal adversity. An epidemiological survey found that despite higher levels of social risk among Black Caribbean women living in the UK, they were no more likely than White British women to record above-threshold depression scores postnatally and were significantly less likely to have done so during pregnancy. In-depth interviews were undertaken to illuminate the models, experiences, and meaning of perinatal depression held by Black Caribbean women. Women's narratives suggested that they rejected 'postnatal depression' as a central construct for understanding responses to psychological distress associated childbirth and early motherhood. Rejection of depression as illness was associated with imperatives to normalise distress and a self-concept which stressed the importance of being 'Strong-Black-Women' for maintaining psychological well-being. This identity served to reinforce notions of resilience, empowerment, and coping strategies characterised by the need to problem-solve practically, assertively, and materially. The study questions the utility of attaching psychiatric labels to the emotional and psychological distress experienced by Black Caribbean women around the perinatal period.

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  • Some researchers gained insight into strength incidentally while studying other psychological or health topics, without making strength their focus.

    “Other researchers (Amankwaa, 2003; Edge & Rogers, 2005) have not focused on the concept of strength, but obtained insight on the topic in the process of investigating other psychological or health-related phenomena.”

    From Superwoman Schema: African American Women’s Views on Stress, Strength, and Health (2010) · cites this paper as Edge & Rogers, 2005

  • Published empirical or data-based work that examines and conceptualizes the Superwoman phenomenon and its possible link to African American women's current health is scarce.

    “Despite the growing discourse on the Superwoman role, there is a surprising dearth of published empirical or data-based research designed to examine and conceptualize this phenomenon and how it might contribute to the current health status of African American women.”

    From Superwoman Schema: African American Women’s Views on Stress, Strength, and Health (2010) · cites this paper as Edge & Rogers, 2005

  • A qualitative study of Black Caribbean women found that displaying a strong exterior helped them maintain control and withstand otherwise insurmountable challenges.

    “Women in this study shared that the exhibition of a strong exterior enabled them to maintain control and withstand otherwise insurmountable challenges (Edge & Rogers, 2005).”

    From Superwoman Schema: African American Women’s Views on Stress, Strength, and Health (2010) · cites this paper as Edge & Rogers, 2005

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Authors
Edge, D., & Rogers, A.
Affiliations
  • University of Salford (GB)
  • University of Manchester (GB)
Corresponding author
Edge, Dawn
ORCID
Venue
Social Science & Medicine
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2005-07
Volume
61
Issue
1
Pages
15-25
ISSN
0277-9536 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.11.047
OpenAlex
W2082931494
Cited by
128
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 10
FWCI
4.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Social Science & Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
Keywords
Black Caribbean women, perinatal depression, postpartum depression, psychological distress, coping strategies, resilience, early motherhood, childbirth, adversity, maternal mental health, ethnic minority women
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Attitude to Health, Female, United Kingdom, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Pregnancy, Stress, Psychological, Parenting, Caribbean Region, Parturition

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