The Strong Black Woman Schema at Work: Implications for Burnout and Engagement in the Workplace

Abstract

Burnout is a persistent threat to employee well-being and organizational effectiveness, yet little research has examined how culturally rooted identity schemas contribute to this outcome. This study extends the Strong Black Woman (SBW) schema into workplace research, using a multidimensional framework to explore its relationship with burnout and engagement. The SBW schema was assessed through three components—Affect Regulation (AR), Caretaking (CT), and Self-Reliance (SR)—to better understand its psychological costs and benefits in occupational settings. In Study 1, AR and CT were positively associated with burnout, while SR appeared protective. Study 2 expanded this work by examining the moderating role of Well-Being Human Resource Management (WBHRM) practices. Results showed that WBHRM reduced burnout and enhanced engagement overall, buffered the impact of AR on burnout. WBHRM also emerged as the strongest predictor of engagement, highlighting the power of structural supports over individual coping strategies. These findings underscore the importance of culturally responsive HR policies and call for moving beyond unidimensional models to capture how intersectional identities shape workplace well-being. Practical recommendations include flexible scheduling, mentorship opportunities, and inclusive leadership training to reduce identity-based stressors and improve long-term employee outcomes.