Promoting the Resiliency of African American Teens Experiencing Ambiguous Loss

ABSTRACT

A disproportionate number of African American youth experience childhood adversity and situations of loss, including parental incarceration and divorce, while navigating racial discrimination. Ambiguous loss theory offers a conceptual framework to understand these experiences as losses of relationships, stability, and social validation due to parental behaviors. Theoretically and culturally informed interventions are needed to help adolescents cope with ambiguous loss. This article describes a psychoeducational group intervention for female African American adolescents experiencing ambiguous loss that aims to promote resilience and coping rather than promote closure following loss.

KEYWORDS:

• African American
• ambiguous loss
• group intervention

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Emily C. Brown

Emily C. Brown, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Education Sciences and Professional Programs at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.

Angela D. Coker

Angela D. Coker, Ph.D., is now an associate professor of Women’s Studies and director of Inclusive Faculty Recruitment and Retention at San Diego State University.