Superwoman Schema: African American Women’s Views on Stress, Strength, and Health

May combine two claims.

The study's findings corroborate and extend earlier work on strength, perseverance, and self-reliance among African Americans.

“Findings from this study corroborate and extend previous examinations of concepts of strength, perseverance, and self-reliance among African Americans (Beauboeuf-LaFontant, 2007; James, 1994; James, Hartnett, & Kalsbeek, 1983; Mullings, 2006; Shambley-Ebron & Boyle, 2006).”

• cites Beauboeuf-LaFontant, 2007Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites James, 1994 sourceSupported
• cites James, Hartnett, & Kalsbeek, 1983 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Participants reported that the Superwoman role has liabilities, including relationship strain, stress-related health behaviors, and stress embodiment.

“and liabilities (relationship strain, stress-related health behaviors, and stress embodiment).”

May combine two claims.

Four contextual factors were identified as contributors to the Superwoman role: historical legacy of racial and gender stereotyping or oppression; lessons from foremothers; a past personal history of disappointment, mistreatment, or abuse; and spiritual values.

“Four contextual factors were identified as contributors to the Superwoman role, including a historical legacy of racial and gender stereotyping or oppression; lessons from foremothers; a past personal history of disappointment, mistreatment, or abuse; and spiritual values.”

The quote only partly states this claim.

Some participants expressed that carrying the burdens of others gave their lives a sense of purpose.

“Some women expressed that carrying the burdens of others gave their lives a sense of purpose.”

The quote only partly states this claim.

Participants discussed feeling obligated to meet the needs of others.

“The women discussed feeling obligated to meet the needs of others.”

May combine two claims.

Some women were the first in their family to attain certain educational and professional achievements and expressed that they could not rely on their family members to provide extra resources.

“Some women were the first in their family to attain certain educational and professional achievements and, as a result, expressed that they could not rely on their family members to provide the extra boost of resources that other, more privileged, individuals might have.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Others reported that vulnerability or dependence would cause them to get hurt.

“Others reported that vulnerability or dependence would cause them to get hurt.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Other women felt the pressure to appear strong only in their jobs.

“Others stated that they only felt obliged to present an image of strength at work.”

May combine two claims.

Some participants preferred being a leader or had difficulty not taking the lead, more common in older groups.

“Because of their desire to resist vulnerability or dependence on others, some of the women expressed that they either preferred to be a leader or that they had difficulty not taking the lead. This was a factor across groups, but more common in the older groups of women.”

May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

Participants discussed how their commitment to helping others led them to take on multiple roles and have difficulty saying no.

“Women discussed how their commitment to helping others led them to take on multiple roles and responsibilities and have difficulty saying no.”

May combine two claims.

Some women said others saw them as the strong one and expected them to hold their families together.

“Some reported being perceived as “the strong one” by others and that they were expected to be the strength of their families.”

May combine two claims.

Some took pride in showing strength yet appeared troubled by the constant obligation to do so.

“Some women spoke with a sense of pride about manifesting an image of strength, but nevertheless seemed distressed by feeling obligated to do so most of the time.”

The quote only partly states this claim.

A theme emerged that participants were resistant to vulnerability or dependence.

“A clear theme emerged about being resistant to vulnerability.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The results led to an initial Superwoman Schema Conceptual Framework.

“These findings resulted in the preliminary development of the Superwoman Schema Conceptual Framework (Figure 1).”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Participants reported that others do not recognize when Black women are stressed due to the superwoman syndrome, especially in the workplace.

“I think a lot of people don’t know when black women are stressed because of the superwoman syndrome and especially in the workplace, where other women might be able to show their stress, I think for us, it’s harder for us to acknowledge that stress, especially at the workplace when you’re supposed to be extremely productive.”

May combine two claims.

For many, succeeding meant balancing the simultaneous demands of raising their children, completing their education, and working full-time, without the assistance of a husband or their children's father.

“For many, succeeding meant balancing the simultaneous demands of raising their children, completing their education, and working full-time, without the assistance of a husband or their children’s father.”

May combine two claims.

Women discussed that faith, religion, and spirituality helped them to manifest strength to reach their goals and to help them overcome challenges without the help of other people.

“Women in the focus groups discussed that faith, religion, and spirituality helped them to manifest strength to reach their goals and to help them overcome challenges without the help of other people.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Some women described it as a need to nurture others and stated that this is a common trait of women.

“Some described it as a need to nurture others and stated that this is a common trait of women.”

May combine two claims.

Women discussed how these experiences with abuse created suspicion, fear, apprehension, and mistrust, which led to the development of resistance to depending on others or being placed in a vulnerable position.

“Women discussed how these experiences with abuse created suspicion, fear, apprehension, and mistrust, which led to the development of resistance to depending on others or being placed in a vulnerable position.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Some viewed appearing strong as simply part of being a woman, especially an African American woman.

“Some reported that presenting an image of strength was just part of a woman’s life and, more specifically, an African American woman’s life.”

The quote only partly states this claim.

Participants described an obligation to suppress emotions.

“Women indicated an obligation to suppress emotions.”

May combine two claims.

Some women said they could make it on their own and wanted to prove it to others, or that people had ulterior motives for offering help.

“Others said that they could make it on their own and wanted to prove it to others, or that people had ulterior motives for offering help.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

A non-college-educated participant aged 25-45 said society, relationships, and the past force women to be strong.

“One participant from the group of women between the ages of 25 and 45 years of age who were not college-educated stated: > You have to be strong. . . . Society makes you have to be a strong woman. People in relationships make you have to be a strong woman. Our past makes us have to be a strong woman and it’s really annoying as hell.”

May combine two claims.

The women's descriptions of the Superwoman role fell into five themes: feeling required to show strength, to hide emotions, to avoid vulnerability or dependence, to succeed despite scarce resources, and to assist others.

“Participants’ characterizations of the Superwoman role were grouped into five major topic areas: obligation to manifest strength, obligation to suppress emotions, resistance to being vulnerable or dependent, determination to succeed despite limited resources, and obligation to help others.”

May combine two claims.

Participants discussed routinely working late, neglecting breaks, sacrificing sleep, and putting health in danger to reach goals.

“Participants discussed that they routinely worked late, neglected taking breaks, sacrificed sleep, and put their health in danger to reach their goals.”

May combine two claims.

Some women made statements such as family expects them to do more than they have time to do, and expressed that these expectations were burdensome.

“Some made statements such as, “My family expects me to do more than I have time to do,” and expressed that these expectations were burdensome.”

May combine two claims.

Some participants reported not asking for help until extremely overwhelmed, and admitted this caused unnecessary struggles.

“Some women reported not asking for help until they felt extremely overwhelmed and admitted that this way of living caused them to go through “unnecessary struggles.””

May combine two claims.

Some women stated that they have had to do for themselves for so long, and that taking the lead or being in control of situations felt normal for them.

“Some stated that they have had to do for themselves for so long, and that taking the lead or being in control of situations felt normal for them.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

One retired woman felt that she too was expected to volunteer more, because others perceived that she had more free time to do so.

“One retired woman felt that she too was expected to volunteer more, because others perceived that she had more free time to do so.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

One participant reflected that her grandmother's exterior strength might have caused several undesirable health conditions.

“One woman reflected on how her grandmother’s exterior strength might have been a cause of several undesirable health conditions:”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

One young college student discussed that her ambition and drive for success were related to others' expectations that she would fail in life because she was African American.

“One young college student in particular discussed that her ambition and drive for success were related to others’ expectations that she would fail in life because she was African American.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

One woman in the group of 25-45 year-old college-educated women stated with group agreement that putting out fires all the time seemed normal.

“One woman in the group of 25–45 year-old college-educated women stated with group agreement (i.e., heads nodding): “I don’t know how my life would be if I wasn’t like putting out fires all the time, that this just seems like that’s just normal.””

May combine two claims.

The single women in the 25-45 years age group believed that because they didn't have spouses and families, others expected them to have more time, and they uncomfortably found themselves delegated to more roles and responsibilities.

“The single women in the 25–45 years age group believed that because they didn’t have spouses and families, others expected them to have more time, and they uncomfortably found themselves delegated to more roles and responsibilities.”

May combine two claims.

Some women reported feeling physically drained and lacking time for self-care because they were always caring for others.

“Some women reported feeling physically drained and that they did not have time for self-care because they are always taking care of others.”

May combine two claims.

Stress-related health behaviors were most prevalent among college-educated women aged 25-45, but were discussed across groups.

“This was most prevalent among the group of women aged 25–45 years with college education, but was discussed across groups.”

May combine two claims.

The study's results indicate that the Superwoman role is multidimensional, including obligation to manifest strength, emotional suppression, resistance to vulnerability and dependence, determination to succeed, and obligation to help others.

“Results of this study indicate that the Superwoman role is a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing characteristics such as obligation to manifest strength, emotional suppression, resistance to vulnerability and dependence, determination to succeed, and obligation to help others.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

One woman in the group with terminal or advanced degrees discussed how stereotypes about Black women might limit access to those supportive resources.

“One woman in the group with terminal or advanced degrees discussed how stereotypes about Black women might limit access to those supportive resources.”

May combine two claims.

Participants described three categories of liabilities from the Superwoman role: strain in interpersonal relationships, stress-related health behaviors, and embodiment of stress.

“These liabilities fell under three major categories: strain in interpersonal relationships, stress-related health behaviors, and embodiment of stress.”

May combine two claims.

These sentiments were discussed most commonly in the older groups and the groups with college education.

“These sentiments were discussed most commonly in the older groups and the groups with college education.”

May combine two claims.

It gave these women pride and satisfaction to be helpful to their parents especially; they felt strongly about their responsibility to give back.

“It gave these women pride and satisfaction to be helpful to their parents especially; they felt strongly about their responsibility to give back.”

May combine two claims.

Postponement of self-care was particularly relevant for women with terminal or professional degrees, college-educated women aged 25-45, and women without a college education older than 45.

“Postponement of self-care was particularly relevant for the group of women with terminal or professional degrees, the college-educated women aged 25 to 45 years, and the group of women without a college education who were older than 45 years.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

One participant reported believing that stress was toxic to her pregnancy because autopsy found fetal distress.

“I have no doubts about the fact that the stress was toxic to my pregnancy, because when the autopsy was done, there was nothing found but fetal distress, and so I think about that a lot when I get overly stressed out.”

May combine two claims.

These health issues were discussed most explicitly by college-educated women aged 25-45, but younger and older participants also connected stress, coping, strength, and health.

“These health issues were discussed most explicitly in the focus group of college-educated women 25–45 years of age, but both younger and older participants made connections among stress, coping, strength, and health.”

May combine two claims.

The giving-back theme appeared across groups but was discussed in greatest detail by college-educated women aged 18-24 and women older than 45.

“This was discussed across groups, but discussed in greatest detail by the groups of college-educated women 18–24 years old and women older than 45 years.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

They acknowledged that doing this sometimes resulted in challenges to their own financial situations.

“However, they acknowledged that doing this sometimes resulted in challenges to their own financial situations.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Some participants said that following foremothers' advice to be self-sufficient and independent in relationships might make significant others feel frustrated, unneeded, or less motivated to give support.

“Some stated that following the advice of their foremothers to be self-sufficient and independent in relationships might cause significant others to either feel frustrated, unneeded, or less motivated to provide support.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Geronimus's weathering framework holds that African American women have historically faced cumulative racial inequality, exclusion in social, political, and economic domains, and inadequate medical services.

“In the weathering framework, Geronimus (2001, 2006) suggests that life experiences of African American women historically have included an accumulation of racial inequality; social, political, and economic exclusion; and medical underservice.”

• cites Geronimus, 2001, 2006Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Such inequities lower resource access and raise vulnerability to psychological stress and early stress-linked disease.

“These inequities decrease access to resources and heighten susceptibility to psychological stress and premature stress-related illness (Geronimus, 2001).”

• cites Geronimus, 2001Not checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Weathering and allostatic load frameworks hold that social and historical context strongly shapes stress-related health outcomes for African American women.

“that, according to conceptual frameworks such as “weathering” (Geronimus, 2001, 2006) and allostatic load (McEwen, 1998), greatly influence how stress impacts health outcomes in this population.”

• cites Geronimus, 2001, 2006Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites McEwen, 1998 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The Weathering Conceptual Framework attributes the health gap between African American and European American women to societal factors.

“According to the Weathering Conceptual Framework, these societal factors provide explanation for the disparities between the health of African American women and European American women (Geronimus, 2001).”

• cites Geronimus, 2001Not checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Indexing used broad, non-exclusive categories and deliberately included all potentially relevant material to prevent selective attention.

“During the indexing stage, a nonexclusive approach was used. The index code categories were broad and general, and pieces of data were appropriate for more than one topic heading or index code. The emphasis at this stage was on including all potentially relevant material, to avoid selective attention to data.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Contradictory data were not routinely excluded; deviant cases helped clarify the circumstances in which African American women show strength or suppress emotion.

“The data that appeared to contradict the existing index code categories were embraced, not excluded universally. Deviant cases were used to understand when or under what circumstances African American women display characteristics such as strength or emotional suppression.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Experts and participants were consulted to strengthen credibility and validity.

“Finally, corroboration with experts in the field and the study participants was used to enhance credibility and validity (Sandelowski, 1986).”

• cites Sandelowski, 1986 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

The Superwoman concept arose in part from African American women's efforts to counter demeaning societal images of Black womanhood and to bring attention to unrecognized strengths that endured through oppression and hardship.

“The concept of Superwoman developed partially as a result of African American women’s efforts to counteract negative societal characterizations of African American womanhood (such as “Mammy,” “Jezebel,” and “Welfare Queen”) and to highlight unsung attributes that developed and continue to exist despite oppression and adversity (Beauboeuf-Lafontant, 2003; Harris-Lacewell, 2001).”

• cites Beauboeuf-Lafontant, 2003 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Harris-Lacewell, 2001 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

McEwen's allostatic load theory holds that ongoing psychological stress causes cumulative risk and physiological dysregulation, resulting in chronic disease and early death.

“Similarly, in the theory of allostatic load, McEwen (1998) suggests that chronic exposure to psychological stress leads to cumulative risk and physiological dysregulation (e.g., impaired cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and neuroendocrine functioning), yielding chronic illness and premature mortality.”

• cites McEwen, 1998 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The author and a research assistant checked transcripts against the audio recordings for accuracy.

“The author and research assistant then compared the transcript to the audiotaped data to confirm accuracy.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The researchers kept field logs and memos to improve the study's auditability.

“Field log notes and memos were maintained to enhance auditability of the study (Sandelowski, 1986).”

• cites Sandelowski, 1986 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

At each group's end, participants debriefed on major topics to improve accuracy.

“Debriefing with the study participants, which included a review of prominent topics that were raised by the participants, was conducted at the end of each focus group session to enhance accuracy.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Focus groups offered a supportive setting where women could talk about sensitive stress and coping matters.

“Additionally, the focus groups provided a supportive environment for women to discuss sensitive issues related to experiencing and coping with stress (Jarrett, 1993).”

• cites Jarrett, 1993 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Each planned group was made homogeneous by age and education so that members would share life experiences.

“Each scheduled group was designed to be homogeneous in age and educational background, to bring individuals together who have shared life experiences (Kitzinger & Barbour, 1999).”

• cites Kitzinger & Barbour, 1999 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Participants received the main themes in writing and could send written or verbal feedback.

“The major thematic categories were shared in writing with the focus group participants, and they were invited to communicate feedback to the research team through written or verbal correspondence (Kitzinger & Barbour, 1999).”

• cites Kitzinger & Barbour, 1999 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The researchers used purposive sampling to recruit women varied in age and education.

“Purposive sampling was used to obtain a sample of women who were diverse in age and educational levels.”

May combine two claims.

Recruitment materials invited women to discuss stress and coping in African American women, which likely produced a sample with higher stress levels than the general population.

“Furthermore, in recruitment materials, women were invited to participate in a focus group to discuss issues of stress and coping in African American women. It is likely that this method of recruitment resulted in a sample of women with higher levels of stress compared to the general population.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Participants from other regions of the United States might have different experiences that could expand the SWS framework.

“It is possible that participants from other regions of the United States might have different experiences that might be used to expand the current framework of SWS.”

May combine two claims.

Talking about emotional distress or seeking professional mental health counseling might be seen as weakness or as failing to uphold an image of strength.

“Verbalization of emotional distress or seeking professional mental health counseling might be interpreted as signs of weakness or as a failure to uphold the image of strength (Amankwaa, 2003; Curphey, 2003).”

• cites Amankwaa, 2003 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Curphey, 2003Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Emotional suppression has been found to influence excessive alcohol intake and undesirable physiological processes that cause harmful changes in immune functioning and illness.

“For example, emotional suppression has been found to influence excessive intake of alcohol (e.g., Ehrmin, 2002) and undesirable physiological processes that result in detrimental changes in immune functioning and illness (Petrie, Booth, & Pennebaker, 1998; Petrie, Fontanilla, Thomas, Booth, & Pennebaker, 2004; Smyth, Stone, Hurewitz, & Kaell, 1999).”

• cites Ehrmin, 2002 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Petrie, Booth, & Pennebaker, 1998Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Petrie, Fontanilla, Thomas, Booth, & Pennebaker, 2004 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

For most women in Beauboeuf-Lafontant (2007), especially those raising children or caring for loved ones, being strong contributed to selflessness, powerlessness, and self-silencing that led to psychological distress and higher depression risk.

“However, for a majority of the women (particularly those in the midst of childrearing and those who served as caretakers for their loved ones), being strong contributed to levels of selflessness, powerlessness, and self-silencing that contributed to psychological distress and heightened risk for depression (Beauboeuf-Lafontant, 2007).”

• cites Beauboeuf-Lafontant, 2007 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

The preliminary SWS framework shares the John Henryism Hypothesis's elements of strength and determination but gives more nuanced detail about women's suppression of negative emotion and difficulty accepting emotional support.

“The preliminary SWS framework shares elements of strength and determination postulated by the JHH; however, the SWS framework provides more nuanced details about women’s suppression of negative emotion and difficulty with accepting emotional support.”

• cites James et al., 1983 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

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).”

• cites Edge & Rogers, 2005 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Components of the SWS framework not explicitly addressed by the John Henryism Hypothesis include obligation to help others, resistance to vulnerability or dependence, obligation to suppress emotions, and postponement of self-care.

“Other important components of the SWS framework not addressed explicitly by the JHH include (a) obligation to help others, which includes difficulty saying no to multiple roles and responsibilities; (b) resistance to being vulnerable or dependent; (c) obligation to suppress emotions; and (d) postponement of self-care.”

• cites James et al., 1983 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

The qualitative focus group study's findings have implications for clinical practice and research and align with research on embodiment and health disparities among African American women.

“Findings of this qualitative focus group study have implications for clinical practice and research and are consistent with research on embodiment and health disparities among African American women (Lende & Lachiondo, 2009).”

• cites Lende & Lachiondo, 2009 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The focus group setting might have encouraged agreement with the group, limiting discussion of unique alternative experiences.

“In addition, the focus group environment might have promoted a tendency to express opinions in agreement with the rest of the group, which might have limited discussion of unique, but important, alternative experiences.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

African American women not attracted to the study advertisements might have had lower stress and might be less likely to identify with the Superwoman characteristics found in the analysis.

“African American women who were not attracted to the study advertisements might have had lower levels of stress and might be less likely to identify with the characteristics of the Superwoman role identified from the analysis of this study.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

An embodied approach to health disparities research goes beyond rational explanations and includes contextual factors showing how subjective experience affects health behaviors.

“An embodied approach to investigating health disparities moves beyond rational explanations and incorporates contextual factors emphasizing how an individual’s subjective experience influences health behaviors (Lende & Lachiondo, 2009).”

• cites Lende & Lachiondo, 2009 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The preliminary SWS framework might improve existing explanatory models of stress, coping, and physical or mental health among African American women.

“The preliminary SWS framework might enhance existing explanatory models of stress, coping, and physical or mental health among African American women.”

May combine two claims.

Beauboeuf-Lafontant (2007) identified themes of a cultural mandate of strength, self-silencing, excessive attunement to others' needs, and denial of one's own needs, along with positive aspects of showing strength.

“She uncovered several themes, including the cultural mandate of strength, self-silencing, excessive attunement to the needs of others, and denial of one’s own needs; similar to the current study, she identified positive characteristics of showing strength (e.g., enhancing success with goals, assertiveness, and moral character).”

• cites Beauboeuf-Lafontant, 2007 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

An interview study of 12 African American women with postpartum depression found that obligations to show strength, modeled by family women, led to disregard for physical and mental health, a gap between real and ideal self, and frustration when unable to meet social expectations of strength.

“in one interview study, 12 African American women with postpartum depression discussed that obligations to exhibit strength, modeled by the women in their families, resulted in disregard for their physical and mental health, dissonance between the their “real self” and “ideal self,” and frustration when they were unable to live up to social expectations to be strong (Amankwaa, 2003).”

• cites Amankwaa, 2003 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

A tendency to suppress negative emotions when resources are inadequate and responsibilities span multiple life domains might raise a woman's risk of adverse health more than a woman with determination to succeed but able to express distress because of abundant support.

“For example, a tendency to suppress negative emotions in the context of inadequate resources and responsibilities in multiple life domains might place a woman at greater risk for adverse health compared to a woman who has a great deal of determination to succeed, but also has the ability to express distress as a result of abundant tangible and emotional support from family and friends.”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: An isolated characteristic of the Superwoman role is not by itself a risk factor for undesirable health outcomes.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Existing literature suggests that the concept of strength is relevant to women from diverse backgrounds.

“Existing literature suggests that the concept of strength is relevant to women from diverse backgrounds (Hayes, 1986; Herrera & DelCampo, 1995; Lim, 1997; Mensinger, Bonifazi, & LaRosa, 2007; Whitty, 2001).”

• cites Hayes, 1986 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Herrera & DelCampo, 1995 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Lim, 1997 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Specific combinations of Superwoman characteristics and different levels of available resources might affect a woman's risk of impaired health.

“However, specific combinations of Superwoman characteristics and varying degrees of available resources might influence a woman’s risk for impaired health.”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: An isolated characteristic of the Superwoman role is not by itself a risk factor for undesirable health outcomes.