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Abstract
This study examines the relationships between life stress, perceived helpfulness of support sources, and well-being among 73 college-educated African American women. As a group, the women report few “serious problems.” Stress at work, inadequate finances, and health problems in the family are identified as the top three areas of concern. Overall, self-reports of physical, emotional and spiritual health among African American women in this study are “very good.” However, life stress was negatively related to emotional and spiritual health and positively related to depression. Perceived helpfulness of support sources had a positive main effect on self-reports of emotional and spiritual health, and a buffering effect on depression. On average, 4 sources of support were deemed helpful by respondents. African American women, regardless of their relationship status, perceived female friends and female family members to be most helpful. The findings emphasize the importance of supportive social relationships to promote well-being and buffer the strain of life problems. Implications for social work practice are discussed.
