2004/07/01 by Kumea Shorter-Gooden, Kumea Shorter‐Gooden · 2 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Gender Roles and Identity Studies #Migration, Health and Trauma #Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
paper · doi:10.1177/0095798404266050
openalex publication_date 2004/07/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
This qualitative study of a community sample of 196 African American women aimed to identify the coping strategies that Black women use to manage the stress of racism and sexism. The findings reveal that they use multiple resistance strategies: (a) three ongoing internal coping strategies (resting on faith—relying on prayer and spirituality; standing on shoulders—drawing strength from African American ancestors; and valuing oneself—sustaining a positive self-image); (b) one ongoing external coping strategy—leaning on shoulders, or relying on social support; and (c) three specific coping strategies (role flexing—altering their outward behavior or presentation; avoiding—diminishing contact with certain people and situations; and standing up and fighting back—directly challenging the source of the problem.