Stressors and Strengths: A Theoretical and Practical Examination of Nuclear, Single-Parent, and Augmented African American Families

Abstract

Much of the academic attention on the African American family has focused on pathologies. Less information has been obtained using cultural equivalent or emergent models to recognize positive, adaptive features. In this research, a survey study of 114 African American families is used to assess (1) similarities between experiences and existing theoretical exemplars; (2) stressors and strengths and whether they are family-type specific; (3) religiosity; and (4) family success measures for nuclear, single-parent, and augmented families. The results suggest that the experiences of the study families reflect a fusion of various social and cultural theories.