Black Feminist Theory Paper

581 Words3 Pages

Depression differs from individuals based on ethnicity. One of the differences is the treatment the individual receives. Depression is a mental illness many face; yet they do not seek care or they do not receive the proper care. The treatment for depression differs from a Caucasian woman and African American Woman.
Regarding the difference, it appears that depression has a different effect on women based on their ethnicity. Ayalon and Young (2013) African Americans reported less pessimism, dissatisfaction, self-blame, and suicidal ideation and more sense of punishment and weight change, but for reasons unrelated to depression. Self-dislike was a stronger manifestation of depression in Caucasian Americans, and sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, and loss of libido were stronger manifestations of depression in African Americans. African Americans reported more somatic symptoms than did Caucasian Americans, although both racial groups exhibited similar cognitive and affective disturbances. African Americans reported more worry, muscular tension, general anxiety, and autonomic …show more content…

The treatment suggested is strengths- based perspectives. Psychosocial competence, a strengths-based approach, and the Black feminist perspective offer the opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of the intersection and influence of oppression among depressed African American women and provide a useful framework for mental health practice with this population. Psychosocial competence is a multifaceted configuration that includes a set of self- attitudes, world attributes, and behavioral attributes that are designed to promote effective functioning in human beings by focusing on their unique coping and adaptive patterns, actual or potential strengths, natural helping networks, life experiences, and environmental resources as major instruments of