Resilience in Low-Income African-American Single Mothers
Researchers have found that low-income African-American single mothers use family, friends, significant others, religion/church groups and community organizations as ways to help them cope with adverse conditions (Stack, 1974; Martin and Martin, 1978; Jarrett, 1994 & 1998; Zollar, 1985). Coping is a psychological defense mechanism or response towards adverse situations. Coping strategies and social support networks of low-income African American single mothers were explored in order to ascertain how these strategies relate to resilience. The methodology of the study included fourteen African-American women, living in a mixed income public housing complex, who participated in in-depth interviews that asked questions concerning male-female relations, government assistance (public aid), family, friends, significant others involvement, parenting and child-rearing, and parent and child goal orientation. The women ranged from the ages of 20-40. The findings highlighted the variety of strategies utilized by low-income African-American single mothers to adapt to their living conditions.
School:
Dillard University
Department:
Psychology
Research Advisor:
Robin Jarrett
Department of Research Advisor:
Human and Community Development
Year of Publication:
2002