Role Strain and Adaptation: A Primer

Abstract

This chapter introduces readers to the Bowman Role Strain and Adaptation Model (BRSAM)—one of Dr. Phillip J. Bowman’s seminal theoretical contributions—and situates the model within broader sociological and social psychological traditions concerning roles, role strain, coping, and adaptation. As a primer for this volume, the authors trace the intellectual development of the BRSAM from its early application to Black husband-fathers to its later expansion as a strength-centered, multilevel, life-span framework for understanding the experiences of youth and students from racially and ethnically marginalized groups. The authors highlight how Bowman’s work challenged deficit-based accounts by emphasizing adaptive responses, cultural resources, and the role of formal and informal supports in mitigating strain. The authors also discuss the utility of role strain and adaptation framing in education research, particularly in studies of academic and financial student role strain, STEM pathways, and the experiences of Black students and other racially marginalized groups. The authors conclude with a Sankofa-oriented reflection on the continuing relevance of BRSAM for future scholarship, policy, and practice aimed at advancing more equitable educational outcomes.