Through my eyes: A study of romantic attachment and parenting stress amongst African American mothers

Through open-ended interviews with five women, this study investigated how single African American mothers in the lower socio-economic strata experience intimate relationships and how they understand and manage parental stress. Qualitative phenomenological analysis allowed themes from the mothers' lives to emerge. Participants described the importance of early attachment experiences, including both their mothers and fathers as role models for their own romantic relationships. They talked about comfort and discomfort in their adult romantic relationships, and about difficulties with communication. Participants agreed closely on the meaning of stress, and the major consistent component of stress that they identified was the on-going challenge that resulted from being poor and with little education. Additional stressors were concerns about their children, the impact of drugs, and issues of safety. Participants had strong emotional reactions to the duality of loving their hometown of "Spruce Valley" while also acknowledging the effect of Spruce Valley's safety challenges on their own subjective parenting experience and their children's upbringing. These mothers had many ways of coping with stress. Relationships were particularly important --- especially with close women friends. They also used interests and activities to handle stress. Findings emphasize the critical importance of religion and spirituality, as well as family support. These African American mothers described utilizing a collectivist approach in which roles and responsibilities are shared, aiding these mothers in their ability- and their children's ability- to survive and thrive.