Background: Black women frequently encounter complex and cumulative intersectional stressors, including economic strain, caregiver burden, racial stress, and gender discrimination, which serve as upstream determinants of mental health issues, hypertension, and insufficient sleep. In response to these stressors, Black women have developed unique forms of resilience. While portable digital solutions, such as mobile apps, have been developed for mental health, they often do not adequately cater to the specific needs of Black women. To ensure the effectiveness and equity of these interventions, it is crucial to consider the unique experiences of women from diverse racial backgrounds.
Methods: This research involves a series of focus groups composed of 12 perinatal women (from the Nurturing Moms study) and 16 hypertensive women (from the NIH-funded Realist Women Study- 1K01HL175286-01) enrolled in two ongoing clinical trials at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Study 1 assesses the efficacy of Nurture VR™, a VR-based program that integrates mindfulness techniques, relaxation exercises, and guided imagery for pregnancy and postpartum care. Study 2 evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of a VR intervention (First Resort) for stress reduction, resilience enhancement, and blood pressure management among Black women.
Results: Qualitative analysis reveals five primary themes and 19 sub-themes, highlighting the complexities of motherhood while Black in America, attitudes toward VR therapy, and perceptions of resilience. Participants discussed challenges related to household management, caregiving, financial stress, relaxation, sleep, and the importance of social support. Notably, a prominent theme that emerged was the sense of escapism experienced by participants during VR therapy.
Conclusion: Preliminary findings from our studies indicate that the portability and on-demand nature of VR-based interventions present a valuable resource for low-income communities, where transportation challenges, cultural barriers, and the stigma associated with mental health care can significantly impede access to quality services. Culturally tailored and affordable VR-based interventions hold promise in addressing these barriers, thereby contributing to the reduction of social determinants of health stressors among women and mothers of color.