Abstract
The aim of this chapter is to provide evidence-based and culturally relevant approaches for supporting Black women's mental health as they navigate the academy. This chapter will specifically identify concrete ways for encouraging the use of African-centered coping among Black women in higher education settings. Using hierarchical multiple regressions, associations between African Self-Consciousness (ASC), Black racial identity, and hope were explored to understand their potential impact on Black women's use of African centered coping styles. 105 (Mage = 23) cisgender African American/Black women at predominantly white intuitions were surveyed, and results indicated that the combination of ASC, Black racial identity, and hope were significant indicators of Black women's use of African centered coping strategies (specifically ritual and spiritual centered coping). Results suggest that African centered coping may be connected to Black women's cultural worldview, perception of their Blackness, and endorsement of hope. Future research and clinical implications are discussed.