Date of Award
2024
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Education
Department
Education
First Advisor
Kayon Murray-Johnson
Abstract
Within many United States universities, awareness of doctoral students’ well-being has increased steadily over time because of its impact on students. Low levels of emotional well-being or challenges with emotional well-being in Ph.D. students can increase doctoral student attrition. Only about half of doctoral students complete their programs due to inadequate academic integration, negative relationships, personal problems, and/or emotional exhaustion. Noncompletion means the loss of diverse investments for both the student and the institution. Though still a minority in higher education, BIPOC women’s enrollment in graduate programs has increased to an extent. Even so, Black women in particular, stand at a focal point between two influential and dominant systems of oppression: their race and their gender. This focal point/ identity intersection and the well-known battle with both racism and sexism suggest their mental and emotional health issues remain more glaring in education and society as a whole.
The well-being of Black Women Doctoral Students in Historically White Institutions during Unprecedented Times investigates the unique emotional challenges faced by Black women pursuing doctoral degrees, especially in historically white institutions (HWIs), amid unprecedented challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened racial tensions. The study utilizes qualitative methods with a phenomenological approach to reveal the essence of their emotional well-being experiences. Preliminary findings suggest the intricate relationship between emotional well-being, the superwoman schema, the Strong Black Woman schema, and the influence of resilience. By fostering discussions among academic stakeholders, policymakers, and advisors, it aims to initiate positive changes in support systems and resources for Black women in academia, ultimately contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of their academic journey and emotional well-being.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Popoola, Racheal, "BAG LADY: THE EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF BLACK WOMEN DOCTORAL STUDENTS ATTENDING A HISTORICALLY WHITE INSTITUTION DURING UNPRECEDENTED TIMES" (2024). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 1728.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/oa_diss/1728
