Date of Graduation
Fall 2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)
Department
Public Policy and Administration
Committee Chairperson
Angela Kline, PhD
Committee Member
Michelle Wade, PhD
Committee Member
Thomas Owens, DSW
Abstract
Black women in the professional sector frequently serve as caregivers to close relatives or family members while balancing the demands of their careers. Research shows the hurdles and the stress Black women in the workforce encounter. (Office of Behavioral Health Equity, 2020). Similarly, the expectation to take on the caregiver role adds another layer of complication to their existence (Williams et al., 2021). This combination of conflicting caregiver and professional responsibilities can cause harm to overall well-being and mental health. The enactment of reforms in public policy that address the specific mental health and job satisfaction needs of Black professional women could have an overall positive effect on well-being. Findings of the Black informal caregiving experience show the necessity to be intersectional (Alexander, 2023). Support systems for Black professional women, especially those in caregiving roles, remain understudied and underappreciated. This research examines Black women's caregiving challenges in an intersectional context, paying particular attention to how caregiving burdens influence the different professional roles women occupy.
These results will inform policies capable of enhancing mental health and overall quality of life for this population.
Final Version Confirmation
1
Recommended Citation
Griffin, Lolita J., "INVISIBLE INFRASTRUCTURE: BEYOND THE BURDEN OF THE DUAL ROLES AND SYSTEMATIC REALITIES OF BLACK WOMEN PROFESSIONALS AS CAREGIVERS" (2025). West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects. 2.
https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/all_capstones/2