A Qualitative Examination of African American Coparenting Mothers' Realities, Resources, and Resilience
Christina M. Grange, Nakeiha Primus, Ebony WilliamsABSTRACT
Objective
This qualitative study explores African American mothers' experiences coparenting with a nonresidential father.
Background
Literature often frames coparenting in African American families with a deficit orientation. Using the strengths‐based perspective of the sociocultural family stress model, this study counters this view to underscore how African American mothers perceive their coparenting realities and use resources to navigate related stressors in their family system.
Methods
Across five focus groups, 20 African American, predominantly middle‐class, college‐educated mothers discussed coparenting and the resources that contribute to their resilience.
Results
Consensual qualitative research strategies revealed two primary domains (emotional realities and village resources), representing eight themes. Participants' emotional realities encompassed emotional awareness and emotional evolution in their coparenting relationships. Village resources, including social networks and mental health support, were resources central to mothers' ability to navigate coparenting stress.
Conclusions
Participants navigated intersecting identities as they demonstrated commitment to managing the emotional complexities of coparenting. Village resources were diverse and significant in supporting mothers' coparenting efforts.
Implications
Findings can inform parenting interventions and policies. Disseminating findings can help destigmatize stereotypical notions of African American parenting and support the development of new strength‐oriented parenting paradigms to inform research, policy, interventions, and family well‐being.