TY - JOUR
T1 - African American Women's Perceptions of Depression and Suicide Risk and Protection
T2 - A Womanist Exploration
AU - Borum, Valerie
PY - 2012/8
Y1 - 2012/8
N2 - This article reports the findings of a qualitative study that examined the perceptions of depression and suicide risk and protection among 40 African American women. Seven focus groups were conducted. The thematic findings of the focus group discussions included perceptions of depression as a sense of "spiritual forsakenness" and a healthy alternative to suicide. Living in spirit as well as in community with others was viewed as protection against suicide. Having a strong sense of African American heritage, history, and identity was perceived as protection against suicide and depression. Womanist implications for social work research, practice, and education are discussed.
AB - This article reports the findings of a qualitative study that examined the perceptions of depression and suicide risk and protection among 40 African American women. Seven focus groups were conducted. The thematic findings of the focus group discussions included perceptions of depression as a sense of "spiritual forsakenness" and a healthy alternative to suicide. Living in spirit as well as in community with others was viewed as protection against suicide. Having a strong sense of African American heritage, history, and identity was perceived as protection against suicide and depression. Womanist implications for social work research, practice, and education are discussed.
KW - black feminist theory/womanism
KW - health and mental health
KW - qualitative researcher
KW - race/ethnicity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84865194873&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0886109912452401
DO - 10.1177/0886109912452401
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84865194873
VL - 27
SP - 316
EP - 327
JO - Affilia - Journal of Women and Social Work
JF - Affilia - Journal of Women and Social Work
SN - 0886-1099
IS - 3
ER -