Exploring stereotyping and health outcomes in Black women with SCD v.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the Strong Black Woman stereotype among Black women with sickle cell disease: An intersectional perspective on health-related quality of life in a clinical population
IRAS ID
329361
Contact name
Amenaghawon Eghosa-Aimufua
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christ Church University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood condition that causes pain and other serious health complications. Research suggests that people with SCD report severely compromised health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in comparison to the general population and other chronic diseases. The relationship between health experience and wellbeing are complex, but it is thought that racism frequently interacts with, and exacerbates, other sources of health-related stigma in SCD, to impact wellbeing. For Black women, both racism and sexism have already been separately linked to poorer health outcomes e.g., higher psychological distress. However, this approach may mask the unique experience that exists at the intersection of race and gender. As such, research has increasingly adopted an intersectional approach to explore the combined impact of race and gender.
The Strong Black Woman stereotype (SBWS) is a pervasive stereotype unique to Black women that may impact health outcomes in Black women. As research suggests that others’ attitudes impact how an individual copes with a medical condition and shapes their illness-related behaviours, it is important understand how Black women’s relationship with stereotypes such as the SBWS may support our understanding of health inequalities. Thus, the primary aim of the proposed study is to explore if, and to what degree, the SBWS is associated with HRQoL in Black women SCD.
Adults self-identifying as Black and female, and who have a diagnosis of sickle cell disease, would be eligible to take part in this research. Participants would be required to complete a 15-20 minute online survey and will primarily be recruited from the NHS. Recruitment will also take place in the community.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
23/NS/0095
Date of REC Opinion
31 Aug 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion