Multiple Roles, Multiple Lives: The Protective Effects of Role Responsibilities on the Health Functioning of African American Mothers

Abstract

Using data from 747 rural African American mothers, this study incorporated role accumulation theory to test direct and indirect effects of stressors, coping behaviors, and role responsibilities on health functioning. Results indicated that demands emerging from financial strain were related to compromised mental health and decreases in mothers' use of effective coping strategies and role responsibility engagement. Conversely, mothers who effectively responded to stressors and fulfilled responsibilities to their children and communities experienced enhanced mental health, which in turn promoted optimal physical health. The results can inform research and intervention with African American women.

KEYWORDS:

• African Americans
• health
• mothers
• role responsibilities
• stressors

Notes

This research was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health through funding for the Center for Family Research in Rural Mental Health (MH48165) at Iowa State University. Additional funding was provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station (Project #3320).

Note. *p < .05

**p < .01.