The association between Superwoman schema and subjective sleep quality among Black women

Objectives

Similar to women overall, Black women are socialized to be communal and “self-sacrificing,” but unlike women from other racial/ethnic backgrounds, Black women are also socialized to be “strong” and “invulnerable.” This phenomenon is labeled Superwoman schema. This study examined associations between Superwoman schema endorsement and subjective sleep quality.

Methods

Participants included 405 Black women (ages 30-46). Superwoman schema was measured using a 35-item scale capturing five dimensions: obligation to present strength, suppress emotions, resistance to vulnerability, motivation to succeed, and obligation to help others. Superwoman schema overall and the five dimensions/subscales were analyzed. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to investigate overall subjective sleep quality (range: 0-19), poor sleep quality (PSQI >5), and specific sleep domains (eg, sleep duration, sleep disturbances). We fit linear and binary logistic regression models, adjusting for health-related and sociodemographic factors.

Results

Superwoman schema dimension obligation to help others was associated with lower overall subjective sleep quality (β: .81, 95%CI = 0.29, 1.32) and poor sleep quality (OR: 1.55, 95%CI = 1.10, 2.19), as well as bad subjective sleep quality (OR: 1.76, 95%CI = 1.18, 2.66), sleep disturbances (β: .73, 95%CI  = 0.07, 1.41), and daytime sleepiness (OR: 2.01, 95%CI = 1.25, 3.26). Suppress emotions (OR: 1.41, 95%CI = 1.01, 1.99) was associated with poor subjective sleep quality. Superwoman schema overall was associated with daytime sleepiness (OR: 2.01, 95%CI = 1.06, 3.82).

Conclusion

Superwoman schema endorsement, especially obligation to help others and suppress emotions, may be important psychosocial risk factors for Black women’s sleep health.