Extended family support of single black mothers

Description

The purpose of this study was to determine the role the extended families play in supporting African-American single mothers. The sample consists of 320 African-American single mothers and 126 of their "significant others". All mothers were over 20 years old, working outside the home, and hadchildren under the age of 18 living at home. Significant others were defined as the person who was most supportive of the respondent; half of these were relatives. The mothers completed a questionnaire inquiring about families of origin and families of procreation as well as the following topics: mobility patterns, significant life events, interactions with family and friends, concerns of single mothers, sources of stress, role conflicts and coping strategies, help-seeking and help-exchange patterns, utilization of services, and race-related attitudes. The questionnaire also assessed mental health and included scales about general well-being, anxiety, self-esteem, degree of control, role satisfaction, and life satisfaction. The questionnaire completed by the significant others included many of the same questions as well as questions about the relationship with the mother. The Murray Center holds both computer-accessible and paper data from the mothers and the significant others.

Subjects