Amplifying Black Women's Voices: A Systematic Scoping Review Exploring of Mental Health Research during Reentry

Background/Purpose: With limited literature exploring the mental health and well-being experiences of Black women during reentry, this systematic scoping review aimed to achieve three main objectives: 1) comprehensively understand the post-incarceration experiences of Black women; 2) examine the conceptualizations of mental health and well-being specifically among Black women with reentry experiences; and 3) identify methodological challenges while proposing innovative and culturally sensitive research approaches advance understanding, advocacy and support for Black women’s mental health during reentry. Critiques in this study were informed by Black Feminist/Womanist (BFW) theory, Critical Race Theory (CRT), and Anti-Black Sanism (ABS), theories that center the experiences of Black life.

Methods: This study utilized eight databases, including Medline ProQuest, ERIC ProQuest, and others, that were published between 2000 to 2022. Keyword searches and specific inclusion criteria were developed based on preliminary searches and critical theoretical frameworks. Initial searches retrieved 400 citations, with 26 articles meeting the final criteria for inclusion (20 qualitative, 4 quantitative, and 2 mixed methods).

Findings: The preliminary review revealed inconsistencies in defining mental health and well-being, emphasizing depression, trauma, and general mental health diagnosis. Among quantitative studies, psychological scales not validated with Black women specifically were used. The review highlighted a tendency among scholars to center narratives of pain, victimization, and trauma to enhance research authenticity. Discussions on mental health remained binary, lacking a holistic understanding of wellness, while overlooking the diversity within the Black experience. Limited community engagement practices within research studies perpetuated colonial research norms.

Conclusion: The study emphasizes the critical need for scholars to adopt an intersectional perspective in studying Black women post-incarceration. Embedding deeper reflexivity, nuanced approaches to mental health, enhanced theoretical-methodological linkages, and embracing culturally responsive research practices are vital. This study challenges researchers to prioritize transformative research practices that dismantle oppressive norms and amplify marginalized voices.