Family Science

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Formerly known as the Department of Family Studies.

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    “STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM, NOW WE’RE…WHERE?”” A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF STRESS AND COPING AMONG HIGHLY EDUCATED BLACK WOMEN
    (2021) Ellick, Kecia Lurie; Lewin, Amy B; Roy, Kevin M; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Rationale: Black women suffer disproportionate rates of stress-related diseases including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, maternal mortality, and depression. Education is promoted as a protective factor against these outcomes. An increasing number of Black women are leveraging advanced degrees to secure leadership positions in education, law, science, and technology. Yet, highly educated, middle-class Black women experience the same deleterious health outcomes, at the same rates, as Black women living in poverty. This suggests that neither education nor its correlates protect Black women from harmful outcomes. It further suggests that, for Black women, the cost of social mobility afforded by advanced education may result in diminishing returns by reproducing and reinforcing social inequalities that inform and exacerbate negative experiences.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of highly educated Black women during their prime work, partnering, and reproductive years. This study examined the strategies that highly educated Black women employed to cope with stressors perceived while navigating, negotiating, and performing multiple roles, social identities, and responsibilities in their personal and professional lives. Methods: Data was collected from a sample of Black, middle-class women living in Georgia, ages 28 - 49, with doctorate degrees (n = 24, Mage = 40.2) via in-person, semi-structured interviews. Following a constructivist grounded theory approach, a triadic scheme of open, axial, and selective coding will be performed to uncover emergent themes from women’s narratives. Findings: Evaluation of the data revealed three central themes that serve as the main findings of this study and answer the study questions about how highly educated Black women experience and cope with stress: 1) redefining of the strong Black woman, 2) prioritization of self-care practices and, 3) unapologetic authenticity. Discussion: This study explored the heterogeneity of Black women and contributes to the body literature focused on the interactive effects of race, gender, and class. It provides empirical data on the ways in which Black women experience, perceive, and respond to stress and highlights the ways in which Black women take proactive approaches to protect their health and well-being.
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    The Prevalence and Role of Avoidance Coping Methods for Latinos in the United States
    (2009) Stevenson, Tiffani Debra; Leslie, Leigh A; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Current research concerning Latinos in the United States has indicated that they are at a higher risk for mental illness (e.g., PTSD) than other racial/ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to understand the possible function a culturally normative coping style plays in the occurrence of depression for Latinos when compared to other racial/ethnic groups. The prevalence of avoidance coping methods and the relationship of depression and avoidance coping was examined for a sample (N=429) of Latino (n=129) White (n=150) and Black (n=150) clients. Results indicated that the frequency with which Latinos engaged in avoidance coping was no different than other groups. However, Black participants were significantly more likely to use avoidance coping that White participants. Furthermore, the use of defensive avoidance coping was linked to high depression; however there was no race/ethnicity by avoidance coping interaction. The empirical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
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    Coping with Heterosexism and Homophobia: Young Adults with Lesbian Parents Reflect on Their Adolescence
    (2007-01-24) Kuvalanka, Katherine A.; Leslie, Leigh A.; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    A growing number of lesbian and gay parents are raising children in the United States and around the world. The presence of heterosexism and homophobia, however, continues to present legal, economic, and social challenges for these families. Despite this reality, social science research has demonstrated the positive, healthy development of children and adolescents with lesbian and gay parents. How is it, then, that these children and adolescents demonstrate resilience despite exposure to heterosexism and homophobia? Utilizing a grounded theory, qualitative approach, 30 young adults with lesbian parents were interviewed to explore how they perceived, experienced, and coped with heterosexism and homophobia during their adolescence. Feminist theory applied to a risk-resilience framework guided the development of this study, the primary purpose of which was to develop a theory-driven model to explain how adolescents with lesbian parents cope with heterosexism and homophobia. Findings revealed evidence of resilience of all participants despite varying levels of exposure to interpersonal, institutional, and cultural heterosexism and homophobia from their peers, extended family members, schools, religious institutions, and government. Participants utilized both "protective" and "de-marginalizing" coping strategies in response to the various types of heterosexism and homophobia they faced. Intervening factors in participants' lives that helped to foster their resilience, such as social support on the part of family and friends, were also identified. Based on these findings, a theoretical model of how adolescents with lesbian parents cope with heterosexism and homophobia was developed. Study findings, including the proposed theoretical model and implications of the study findings for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners who are interested in fostering the resilience of adolescents with lesbian parents, are discussed.