Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT)

Advisor

Kara Erolin

Abstract

The strong Black woman archetype reflects cultural expectations that Black women should prioritize others’ needs, succeed despite adversity, and embody unwavering strength without vulnerability or dependence. Originating during slavery, this narrative suggests that Black women can endure physical, emotional, mental, and sexual trauma while continuing to perform exceptionally. However, these internalized messages continue to be passed down generationally and can have damaging effects on an individual’s emotional and psychological health. While research on the SBW archetype is growing, most studies emphasize group-level experiences, often overlooking how individual Black women personally internalize and negotiate strength and identity over time and across multiple domains. This study sought to fill that gap by centering my lived experiences as data. The study also aims to contribute to scholarship on Black women’s mental health and to assist clinicians, educators, and researchers in creating affirming spaces for Black women to explore identity, vulnerability, and honor their agency in redefining what strength means to them. Rooted in intersectionality and culturally responsive research, this analytic autoethnographic study examined how the internalization and expression of the SBW archetype shaped my identity across personal, professional, academic, spiritual, and therapeutic contexts. The findings revealed six overarching themes that illustrate how this narrative influenced my experiences across roles and settings. It offers a lens through which other Black women can redefine resilience and pursue personal liberation within systems that often devalue vulnerability. Keywords: strong Black woman archetype, analytic autoethnography, mental health, self-perception, cultural narratives

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