MAINTAINING BALANCE - EXAMINING MENTAL WELLNESS IN BLACK WOMEN DURING THE MENOPAUSAL TRANSITION

Sep 29, 2026

Black women begin the menopausal transition earlier than other women and often face more severe symptoms, including depression and anxiety. The Strong Black Woman Schema describes a cultural expectation to show strength and caretaker roles while suppressing emotions. This study uses mixed methods to examine factors shaping midlife Black women’s perceptions, help-seeking, and access to mental health care, and evaluates how those factors can enhance well-being. Qualitative interviews (n=23) and segmentation analysis (n=231) identify distinct care-oriented profiles and suggest targeted engagement strategies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Background and Cultural Framework

Menopausal symptoms and Strong Black Woman Schema

Research Aims and Methods

Mixed-methods design

Qualitative interviews (n=23)

Segmentation analysis (n=231)

Findings and Care-Seeking Profiles

Emotional suppression, stigma, cultural expectations, structural barriers, self-care

Four distinct groups

Implications for Access to Care

Targeted engagement strategies

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 1135 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.3809 MAINTAINING BALANCE:: EXAMINING MENTAL WELLNESS IN BLACK WOMEN DURING THE MENOPAUSAL TRANSITION Graham McDougall1, Elyria Kemp2, Xueyan Liu2, Candice Sorapuru3, and Kelly Jones4, 1. University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, 2. University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, 3. Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, 4. Steady Mindz, Kelly Lyn Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States 1136 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Black women begin the menopausal transition at an earlier age than other women and experience more severe menopausal symptoms such as depression and anxiety. The “Strong Black Woman Schema”(SBWS) is a cultural expectation that these women portray strength and caretaker qualities, while suppressing their emotions. This research had two aims (1) what factors influenced how Black women in midlife perceive, seek, and access mental health care and (2) how these factors could enhance mental well-being. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrated qualitative interviews (n = 23) and a segmentation analysis (n=231) to uncover nuanced insights into the lived experiences of Black women and their mental health decision-making. In the qualitative component the participants ranged from 42–60 in age; the mean age was 49. Approximately 60% of the participants sought mental healthcare. Qualitative findings revealed key themes related to emotional suppression, stigma, cultural expectations, structural barriers, and the role of self-care. In the next phase a survey was distributed online to a pre-established national consumer panel of self-identified Black women using a market research firm in the United States. The quantitative segmentation analysis (N = 231), performed using K-means clustering, identified four distinct groups—Reluctant Avoidants, Evolving Discerners, Practical Engagers, and Steady Seekers—each with unique orientations toward mental health care. Based on these profiles, this research proposes targeted engagement strategies for enhancing access to care. These insights into how Black women navigate mental health care may assist in identifying effective strategies for improving access and support to women.

FAQs

Why focus on mental wellness during the menopausal transition for Black women?

Black women often start the menopausal transition earlier and experience more severe symptoms such as depression and anxiety, making mental wellness a key concern.

What cultural concept guides the study’s interpretation of participants’ emotional behavior?

The Strong Black Woman Schema (SBWS) frames a cultural expectation for women to display strength and caretaking while suppressing emotions.

How did the study identify different patterns of mental health care orientation?

It used qualitative interviews (n=23) and a quantitative segmentation analysis (N=231) with K-means clustering to form four groups: Reluctant Avoidants, Evolving Discerners, Practical Engagers, and Steady Seekers.

Sep 29, 2026

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