ORCID

0009-0003-1959-5040

Keywords

Superwoman Schema, stress, diet quality, maternal health, Structured Days’ Hypothesis, children

Abstract

Background: Black mothers are frequently socialized into the Superwoman Schema (SWS), a coping pattern characterized by self-sacrifice and suppression of personal needs. Alongside significant caregiving demands, SWS may limit healthy eating opportunities, yet its relationship with diet quality (DQ) remains understudied. SWS may also intensify during unstructured summer periods. This study examined associations between SWS, perceived stress, and DQ among Black mothers and their youth during summer (T1) and school months (T2).

Methods: This observational within-subjects study included Black mothers (T1: n=51; T2: n=32; mean age 39.6±6.1) and their youth (mean age 10.6±0.3). Assessments occurred at two timepoints six weeks apart. Mothers completed validated questionnaires measuring perceived stress, SWS, and DQ; youth reported perceived stress and DQ. Descriptives, correlations, paired t-tests, and linear regressions were conducted in Stata/BE (p<0.05).

Results: At T1, SWS was significantly associated with specific dietary components. At T2, SWS was inversely associated with overall DQ, saturated fat, and added sugars. Perceived responsibility, mothers' sense of control over child feeding decisions, differed significantly across timepoints, with lower scores reported during school months. At T2, stress predicted increases in perceived responsibility and restriction subscales of child feeding practices, while SWS predicted reduced saturated fat. Child stress at T1 predicted maternal SWS endorsement at T2.

Conclusion: SWS emerged as a meaningful determinant of DQ, underscoring the need for culturally responsive public health strategies. Embedding a Superwoman Schema lens into maternal nutrition programs can make dietary guidance more feasible and aligned with the caregiving realities Black mothers navigate.

Completion Date

2026

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Jeune, Shanté

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Health Professions and Sciences

Department

Health Sciences

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Identifier

DP0053267

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