I am my Sisters Keeper: Sister Circles as

I am my Sisters Keeper: Sister Circles as an Anxiety Intervention for Black Women and GirlsAngela M. Neal-Barnett, Ph.D.Department of Psychological Sciences Kent State Universityaneal@kent.edu

1Financial Disclosure Angela M. Neal-Barnett, Ph.D. is the CEO of Soothe Your Nerves, Inc.Copyrights to the Build Your own Theme Song app and Soothe Your Nerves are held by Angela Neal-Barnett, Ph.D.

Research SupportThis research is supported by grants from: National Institute of Mental Health Womens Endowment Fund of the Akron Community Foundation Applied Psychology Center

Black Womens Club Movement

'I am my Sister's keeper!' should be the hearty response of every man and woman of the raceWe need men who can let their interest and gallantry extend outside the circle of their aesthetic appreciationWe need women who are so sure of their own social footing that they need not fear leaning to lend a hand to a fallen or falling sister."

4AGENDABrief overview of anxiety among Black Females Images of Black females and why they matter in anxiety Black females and CBT: An uneasy alliance Sister Circles-Definition Sister Circles: Black women, Black Teens Musical Cognitive Restructuring

DifferencesBlack females are less likely to admit to be anxious or understand it Stress=Depression but Panic=Crazy Limited understanding of what anxiety is White Womans disease (Neal-Barnett et al, 2010) . We are more likely to suffer from anxiety longer than other racial groups and the symptoms are more intense. Lower prevalence, but symptoms more intense and chronic (Breslau et al 2005; 2006). Blacks are more likely to experience recurrent episodes of isolated sleep paralysis or witch riding than other groups ( Neal-Barnett, 1996, Friedman et al, 1997)

IFIf we are to make a difference in interventions with Black females we must meet them where they are

ThenWe must think outside of traditional psychotherapy We must build on cultural strengths We must recognize the heterogeneity. There is more than one way to Black and female in this country We must be a person Black women and girls can trust.

Sister Circles Indigenous to Black female culture Record partiesPrayer meetingsBlack literature from Toni Morrison-SapphireEmbedded in the Black Womens Club movementSome empirical evidence of moderate success with physical disordersConcept and method most Black women professionals and non-professionals are familiar.

Sister Circle Define a sister circle as a subset of women embedded within an existing Black womens organization who are brought together by an existing concern related to anxiety and fear. As part of our research, we hypothesize that women within the sister circle have a preexisting relationship and a commitment individually and collectively to the subset. We further hypothesize facilitation by women who are both part of the existing organization and part of the subset is a critical component to the sister circles.

CBT Data clear that this is most effective way to treat and manage anxietyWell-known Black American emotional Health experts dont talk about it Iyanla Alvin Poussaint. MDNeeds to be culturally-infusedCarter Panic Ginsburg AA children Neal-Barnett TTMKohn-Wood-Depression

Some CBT concept difficult for Black female clients especially intersection of race and income. Exposure Cognitive Restructuring

CBT and African Americans Recognize heterogeneity in African Americans Adaptation for low-income African American women may not be appropriate for professional African American women Professional African American women often have a foot in 3 worlds.

Fat and Sassy

Video Vixen

Angry Black Woman

15Images of African American Women Impacts perception and help seeking behavior for anxiety disordersCultural messagesNeal-Barnett et al; WyattRacial identity Neal-Barnett et al

16ImagesImages=PressurePressure=StressStress=Anxiety

S.O. S Sister Circle Curriculum Manual Developed based on book.Several iterations CBT with culturally-infused throughout 5 sessions: four consecutive sessions and one month follow-up Facilitated by Sister Circle members

Sessions Limited ExposureBeing therePractice Sharing Erase StigmaKnowledge Truth about anxiety Education about types Panic Attacks particularly ISP

Cognitive Restructuring Theme Song Practice Awareness

Why SUN Sister Circles for Adolescents?SOS participants and Community advisory board members feedback Neal-Barnett et al., 2012Information is power Dont know what stress and anxiety is but were experiencing it.Davis et al, 2015) Prevention makes a difference Ginsberg et al., 2015

Negative-Positive Thoughts Cycle

Negative Thoughts-Theme Song Cycle

Cognitive Restructuring Form of MindfulnessAwareness Recognition of negative thoughts Replace with Positive thoughts

Musical Cognitive RestructuringTheres an App for that

Theme Song: I can be Encouraged.

Whats the impactEmbedded in community: Community engagement Adults: Primary Intervention; Adolescents Prevention, Primary Interventions Adults and Adolescents: Trust. Trust opens doors for other interventions Sister Circle Participants Adults : Reduce anxiety, healthier coping skills in anxious stressful situation, increase in support; recognition and decision of emotional distress, decision to seek further interventionSister Circle Participants Adolescents: Healthier coping skills, use of cognitive restructuring, increase awareness of negative thinking, changes visible to teen, school personnel, Facilitators: Closer relationships, healthier coping skills in anxious stressful situations, sharing/teaching these skills to others in extended family

Whats the impact Sustainability Paying forward Adults: Middle Class. Adolescents: Low income Works for bothCultural Infusion: works, connects participants and facilitators Dissemination: Works, low cost, evidence-based, recommended standards

QuestionsContact information: aneal@kent.edu

Anita SalleySister Circles SongAnita SalleySister Circles SongGarageBand 6.0.52013