The Roles of Suicide Stigmatization, Attitudes Toward Suicide, and John Henryism - Research Paper Example

One factor is stigma, “a significant barrier to help-seeking in troubled African American people” associated with both mental illness and suicide in African American communities (Walker, Lester, & Joe, 2006, p. 322). Another factor may be John Henryism, a cultural-based coping strategy often utilized among African Americans to deal with chronic stress and associated depression and psychological distress (Bronder, Speight, Witherspoon, & Thomas, 2013; Hunn & Craig, 2009).

John Henyrism pertains to those coping cognitions, attitudes, and behaviors that exemplify the cultural belief that through intense hard work, perseverance, and strength of character, African Americans are able to overcome any obstacle (Hunn & Craig, 2009), While these traits are seen as admirable in the African American community, they are more often than not attained at the cost of the individual’s physical and psychological health (Hunn & Craig, 2009). Neighbors, Njai, and Jackson (2007) suggested that John Henryism may provide important cultural insight into how African Americans perceive and manage various types of stressors.

Furthermore, as seen in Black feminist theoretical work, starting with Simms-Brown (1982) and continuing with Beauboeuf-LaFontant (2009), and Woods-Giscombé (2010), the black female has been recklessly, and maybe unfairly, catapulted into a permanently perceivable role as “The Strong Black Woman (SBW)” or “Superwoman” (Woods-Giscombé, 2010, p. 2). The “SBW” is culturally persistent and quite an acceptable stereotype that black women are strong beyond what the normal human being can bear (Woods-Giscombé, 2010).

 Beauboeuf-LaFontant (2009) and Woods-Giscombé (2010) have argued persuasively that this stereotype can place considerable stress on black women, to the degree that their health and well-being is compromised.  As stated by Woods-Giscombé (2010), “perhaps there is a price to the Superwoman role” (p. 3).  The same may be said for John Henryism.