In and Out of Our Right Minds: The Mental Health of African American Women / Edition 1

by Diane Brown, Verna Keith

Overview

African American women have commonly been portrayed as "pillars" of their communities—resilient mothers, sisters, wives, and grandmothers who remain steadfast in the face of all adversities. While these portrayals imply that African American women have few psychological problems, the scientific literature and demographic data present a different picture. They reveal that African American women are at increased risk for psychological distress because of factors that disproportionately affect them, including lower incomes, greater poverty and unemployment, unmarried motherhood, racism, and poor physical health. Yet at the same time, rates of mental illness are low. This invaluable book is the first comprehensive examination of the contradictions between the strengths and vulnerabilities of this population. Using the contexts of race, gender, and social class, In and Out of Our Right Minds challenges the traditional notions of mental health and mental illness as they apply to African American women.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231113793
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	10/01/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	396
Sales rank:	764,816
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Diane R. Brown is executive director of the Institute for the Elimination of Health Disparities at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Verna M. Keith is chair and associate professor of sociology at Arizona State University.

Table of Contents

Part I. Introduction
1. A Conceptual Model of Mental Well-Being for African American Women, by Diane R. Brown
Part II. Mental Health and Mental Illness Among African American Women
2. The Epidemiology of Mental Disorders and Mental Health Among African American Women, by Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith
3. Changing their Minds: Drug Abuse and Addiction in Black Women, by Lula A. Beatty
Part III. Race, Gender, and Cultural Influences on the Mental Well-Being of African American Women
4. (Dis)Respected and (Dis)Regarded: Experiences of Racism and Psychological Distress, by Diane R. Brown, Verna M. Keith, and James S. Jackson
5. Violence and Mental Health, by Evelyn L. Barbee
6. Color Matters: The Importance of Skin Tone for African American Women's Self-Concept in Black and White America, by Verna M. Keith and Maxine S. Thompson
Part IV. Social Roles, Social Statuses, and the Mental Well-Being of African American Women
7. Intimate Relationships and Psychological Well-Being, by M. Belinda Tucker
8. Low-Income Single Black Mothers: The Influence of Nonresident Fathers' Presence on Mental Well-Being, by Aurora P. Jackson
9. Sho' Me the Money: The Relationship Between Social Class and Mental Health Among Married Black Women, by Pamela B. Jackson
10. Life Ain't Been No Crystal Stair: Employment, Job Conditions, and Life Satisfaction Among African American Women, by Anna L. Riley and Verna M. Keith
11. Multiple Social Roles and Multiple Stressors for Black Women, by Diane R. Brown and Donna L. Cochran
Part V. Keeping On. Keeping On
12. Keeping the Faith: Religion, Stress, and Psychological Well-Being Among African American Women, by Karen D. Lincoln and Linda M. Chatters
13. The Benefits and Costs of Social Support for African American Women, by Beverly A. Gray and Verna M. Keith
14. Patterns of Mental Health Services Utilization Among Black Women, by Cleopatra H. Caldwell
Part VI. Conclusion
15. In and Out of Our Right Minds: Strengths, Vulnerabilities, and the Mental Well-being of African American Women, by Verna M. Keith

What People are Saying About This

Delores P. Aldridge

This is an impressive book with serious public policy implications-- one which should be read by all those interested in understanding the mental health of African American women. The choice of content could not have been better at capturing and illuminating empirically the black female psyche.

— Delores P. Aldridge, Grace Towns Hamilton Professor of Sociology, Emory University

Editorial Reviews

This is a significant foundation for future research related to this overlooked population.

Social Work In Health Care - Tawana Ford Sabbath

This is a significant foundation for future research related to this overlooked population.

— Tawana Ford Sabbath

Social Work In Health Care