Date of Award

Spring 5-23-2021

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Marriage and Family Therapy

Advisor(s)

Coolhart, Deborah

Keywords

African American, Mental Health, Parent-Child Closeness, Structural Violence

Subject Categories

Medicine and Health Sciences | Mental and Social Health | Psychiatric and Mental Health

Abstract

Poverty and negative neighborhood characteristics can be detrimental to the mental health wellbeing of Black people. Yet, there is a lack of understanding of how, why, and for whom such factors impact the mental of the Black community. Using a sample of 1654 Black families from the Fragile Family and Child Wellbeing Study I investigated two models. First, I examined the path from poverty to depression, anxiety, and tested Black cultural strengths, religiosity and neighborhood cohesion as moderators. Second, I examined the path from poverty to parent-child closeness and tested Black cultural strengths, social ties and extended family as moderators. Results from a structural equation path analysis model indicated that material deprivation and mediated of the relationship between poverty and depression/anxiety. Religiosity significantly buffered the effects of poverty on anxiety. Material deprivation and parenting stress were mediators of the relationship between poverty and the parent-child closeness. Extended family support was marginally significant in buffering the effects of poverty on the parent-child relationship for father primary caregivers. Clinical implications from these findings are discussed.

Access

Open Access

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