Date of Award

12-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Program

Justice Studies

Department

<--Please Select Department-->

Major Professor

Dr. Michelle Thompson

Second Advisor

Dr. Steven Mumford

Third Advisor

Dr. T'Airra Belcher

Abstract

This quantitative study explores the relationship between the Strong Black Woman Schema (SBWS) and burnout among Black women in community and social service roles. It uses Black feminist theory (Collins, 1990), intersectionality frameworks (Crenshaw, 1989), and the racial identity development theory (Cross, 1991). Data from 217 women who work or volunteer in community and social services, collected through the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), Social Issues Advocacy Scale-2 (SAIS-2), Activism Orientation Scale (AOS), and Stereotypic Roles for Black Women Scale (SRBWS), along with demographic details, assessed SBWS endorsement, advocacy involvement, and burnout levels. Responses were analyzed across ethnic groups and levels of SBWS endorsement to identify patterns and relationships. This study’s comparative approach examined the experiences of Black women relative to those of White women, serving as a baseline, while also including other minority women to capture broader intersectional patterns.

Results showed a significant link between SBWS endorsement and burnout levels among Black women in community and social service roles. The analysis also revealed no difference in burnout levels between Black and White women in these roles. Notably, 6% of White women showed high SBWS endorsement, and minority women had higher SBWS endorsement than both Black and White women. This suggests that SBWS may be more broadly relevant across marginalized communities and that other identities besides ethnicity could influence high SBWS endorsement.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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