Examining the Impact of the CROWN Act on Black Women’s Mental Health: A Scoping Review

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

Keywords

African Americans, mental health, policy, scoping review, women

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1093/hsw/hlaf044

Abstract

Black women in the United States face unique challenges related to hair-based discrimination, which the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act of 2022 aims to address by prohibiting such discrimination in workplaces, schools, and other settings. However, limited research explores the act’s direct impact on Black women’s mental health. This scoping review, guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses, extension for Scoping Reviews (or PRISMA-ScR), examined literature on the CROWN Act’s influence on Black women’s mental health. A comprehensive search of six databases (2019–2024) identified 310 articles, with 15 meeting inclusion criteria. Data were synthesized qualitatively to identify themes. Findings underscore the psychological toll of hair-based discrimination, including increased anxiety, stress, and trauma. While the CROWN Act is seen as a transformative policy, no studies directly measure its mental health impact. Existing evidence suggests reducing discrimination may alleviate chronic stress, but findings remain inferential. This review highlights the need for longitudinal and quantitative studies to evaluate the act’s effectiveness in addressing mental health disparities. Hair-based discrimination continues to affect Black women’s mental health, and while the CROWN Act provides critical protections, further research is necessary to link these policies to measurable mental health outcomes, strengthening advocacy and policy efforts.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Health & Social Work, in press

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