This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfibn master. UMI fihns the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer.The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction.In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion.Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book.Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. Despite the seemingly dismal status of African American women, a more positive image is evident in the literature. As a group, they have been known to utilize support from fictive and non-fictive kin, and religion to overcome obstacles typically viewed as insurmountable (Gibbs and Fuery 1994;Giddings 1984;Jackson and Sears 1992;Jones 1983;Ladner 1971;Stack 1974). Few studies address the specific ways in which Afiican American women cope with institutional oppression and other forms of life stress, but those that do suggest that social support helps to reduce feelings of stress for African American women (McAdoo 1986(McAdoo , 1995. Furthermore, in studies that relate solely to African American mental health, Aihcan American women have been found to utilize prayer as a primary coping mechanism ). UMIConsidering the sociopolitical and economic status of many African American women, as well as the coping strategies they have used to undermine stressful situations, more scholars seemingly would take an interest in the contribution that stress-particularly economic stress-plays in determining the well-being of this group. States is such that any person of color is more likely to report more stressful life events and higher levels of stress than Whites (Smith 1985). Whereas there may be some truth to this conclusion, it says nothii;g ciosut the specific types of life experiences that differentially impact people's lives. Furthermore, it results in analyses where the researcher merely compares African Americans and Whites with regard to some type of mental health outcome or quality of life indicator (Antunes et al 1977;Carr and Krause 1978;Cockerham 1990; Jones-Webb 1993;Linn, Husaini, and Whitten-Stoval 199...

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