Weathering Probation and Parole: A Study of Black Women's Mental Health, Stress, and Social Support

Background and Purpose: At the intersection of race, gender and community-based correctional supervision, Black women on parole and probation face multiple stressors, including being “over-policed and under-protected” by and within criminal, legal, social service, and health care systems. Thus, interpersonal forms of support are essential, given the lack of system-level supports. Of additional concern, depression is often disabling and severe for Black women, and women involved in the criminal justice system have high rates of mental health concerns. Given the disproportionate representation of Black women within the criminal justice system, research focused on understanding how to improve Black women’s mental health is needed. Our study was based in Weathering Theory which frames criminal justice involvement as a form of social inequality that negatively impacts Black women’s mental health over the life course. Our main research question was: What forms of social support and stressors are associated with Black women’s symptoms of depression and anxiety during community supervision? We hypothesized that high levels social support (i.e. emotional/informational, tangible, affectionate and positive social interactions) would buffer the relationship between stressors and Black women’s symptoms of anxiety and depression.

 

Methods: A sample of Black women (n = 169) on probation and parole was used in the current study. Most women (88%) were mothers and had been previously incarcerated (89%). Women completed measures of recent stressful life events, types of social support (i.e., emotional/informational, tangible, affectionate and positive social interactions), and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the associations between recent stressful life events and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Types of social support were examined as moderators.

Results: Almost half of the women met criteria for clinical levels of depression (44%) and anxiety (46%). In examining the main effects, recent stressful life events were associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms across models. Also, emotional/informational support (b = -.28), affectionate support (b = -.28) and positive social interactions support (b = -.30) were associated with fewer symptoms of depression. Emotional/informational (b = -1.32), tangible (b = -1.32) and positive social interaction support (-0.82) were all protective factors in the relationship between recent stressful life events and symptoms of depression. Although forms of social support were associated with fewer symptoms of anxiety as well, only tangible support was a protective factor in the relationship between recent stressful life events and symptoms of anxiety (b = -1.06).

Conclusion and Implications: This study illuminates the impact of criminal justice involvement, including protective factors, on Black women’s mental health. In order to improve women’s health, future research will benefit from examining the institutional and structural racism that Black women face across systems. Also, examining Black women’s resources (both individual and relational) will provide insight into practice and policy directions. For example, future research may consider: for Black women, how does the criminal justice system impact women’s forms of social support and health over time? Centering Black women in social work research expands theory, enhances practice, and improves policies.