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Watts_Thesis_04.2019.pdf (824.09 KB)

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"Ministry is Very Vulnerable Work": A Qualitative Exploration of Black Women's Mental Health in the Black Church

Watts, Brittany Clarvon
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent155457519429668

Abstract Details

2019, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Sociology and Criminology.
The objective of this study is to explore the experiences of Black women who have or are currently volunteering or working within Black churches. The Black church, a term created to represent the pluralism of Black churches in the United States, became a place of refuge; it was a place for individuals who desired to heal, to strengthen his/her spirit, and to gain tools to fight racism (Cone 1979). The phrase “the Black church” is both a concept and representative of religious institutions; this phrase and the term “church” will be used interchangeably throughout this paper. Thus asking, what are Black women’s experiences in the Black church and how do Black women’s involvement in the church impact their mental health? Current literature focuses on the protective factors that religiosity and spirituality provide, but it does not encompass Black women’s full experiences within the church as it relates to their perceptions of their mental health. The importance of this study resides in our understanding of the complexity of Black women’s lived experiences—the social consequences of being both Black and a woman—within sacred spaces. Furthermore, this project will address a gap in literature within the social sciences regarding the status of Black women’s mental health, specifically those who dedicate their time serving the church and community. A mixed survey of both open and close-ended questions was utilized to ascertain a deeper understanding of Black women’s experiences. Findings from this study suggest that Black women have a complicated relationship with the church as it relates to their mental health and service to their religious communities. The following themes elaborate on black women's give and take relationship: issues of gender inclusivity, stress due to service, visibility in the black church, social support, and the black church's impact on mental health.
Kamesha Spates (Committee Chair)
Rebecca Catto (Committee Member)
Clare Stacey (Committee Member)
76 p.
Sociology
Black women, religion, mental health, Black church, gendered racism

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Watts, B. C. (2019). "Ministry is Very Vulnerable Work": A Qualitative Exploration of Black Women's Mental Health in the Black Church [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent155457519429668

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Watts, Brittany. "Ministry is Very Vulnerable Work": A Qualitative Exploration of Black Women's Mental Health in the Black Church . 2019. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent155457519429668.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Watts, Brittany. ""Ministry is Very Vulnerable Work": A Qualitative Exploration of Black Women's Mental Health in the Black Church ." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent155457519429668

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent155457519429668
179
© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.