An exploratory study of the perceived well-being of African-American families in time of crisis and its relationship to their use of resources within the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia area

• Main Author: Shuttlesworth, Angela M.
• Format: Others
• Published: DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center 2009
• Subjects: RELIGION; GENERAL (0318); BLACK STUDIES (0325); SOCIAL WORK (0452); HEALTH SCIENCES; PUBLIC HEALTH (0573); Sociology
• Online Access: http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/dissertations/AAIDP14644; http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1073&context=dissertations

As the United States is in the midst of a proclaimed time of economic distress it is essential to identify the methods which families demonstrate skills of survival. This study is based on the premise that African-Americans have a self-made kin support system and culture which provide resources and skills for the betterment of the family unit. A quantitative methods design is used to identify and prioritize the resources and behaviors utilized by African-American families in time of declared economic crisis. Through the Africultural Coping Skills inventory this study identifies that African-American families within the Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia area use a great deal of the identified cultural-specific coping mechanisms. In addition, results from the modified version of the Satisfaction with Life Scale demonstrate that the study participant, who served as their African-American family representative, perceived their well-being as positive. A thorough analysis of the study's resulting data and a discussion are provided alongside review of concepts from Afrocentric theory and resource exchange theory. Several recommendations are provided as a result of this analysis and discussion. Recommendations are also provided in hopes of ensuring that continuous efforts are made to document and expose the positive attributes found within African-American family and culture are noted as a natural form of resilience.