Stress Levels, Family Help Patterns, and Religiosity in Middle- and Working-Class African American Single Mothers

Abstract

In this survey of 318 middle- and working-classAfricanAmerican mothers, stress andfemale-related stress were found to be intense andfrequent. Women experienced serious life changes. Younger mothers, with younger children, had more stress than older mothers, and college-educated women had more stress than those without a college education. Religion was important; women prayed frequently but tended not to attend church services. Faith provided strong emotional support, especiallyfor the working class and those in stress, but women who were not religious had the lowest stress.