Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1999

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Child and Family Studies

Major Professor

Priscilla Blanton

Committee Members

Eric Haley, Julia Malia

Abstract

The present study investigated stressors, resources, stress management techniques, and well-being among African-American,working class, single mothers ages 23-29. In-depth interviews were conducted to yield a qualitative analysis. Twelve single mothers shared their life narratives and described their experience as a working class single parent.The participants exemplified resiliency characteristics that symbolized successful management of stressors, despite adversity and hardships. The results of this study emphasized the importance of personality characteristics, familial resources, and friends as contributors to a sense of well-being and successful family functioning. Mother's repeatedly disclosed how they could orchestrate events and activities in an effort to minimize stress and maximize individual and familial resources.Of the techniques employed to reduce stress, all of them were positive. Not a single participant reported using alcohol.narcotics, or drugs to deal with stressors. In fact, repeatedly it was reported that facing and overcoming daily struggles could serve to enhance and strengthen individual and familial personality characteristics.Contrary to the concern that extended family and fictive kin may cause boundary ambiguity, symbolic and physical boundaries appeared to be healthy and adaptive. Participantsclearly articulated their roles as parents even when intergenerational relationships were central to optimal family functioning.

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