Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The research findings are relevant to four key audiences: These include scholars, community-based programs and organizations, families, and policy makers. Scholars and researchers from diverse disciplines (Education, Ethnic Studies, Family Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Urban Planning) can benefit from substantive and theoretical insights on theimpact of communities-neighborhoods on family life and child development, family dynamics and coping, and parenting practices. Community-based programs and organizations that focus on enhancing family life, promoting positive child-youth development, and building strong communities will be able to apply the substantive insights from the project. In particular, the research findings will help service providers develop collaborative relationships with families. Further, the project findings can be used by local families. They can inform parenting and child development workshops that represent families' values and preferences. From a policy perspective, the research findings can inform local and national policies related to education, family strengthening, and community building that are asset-based and reflect the needs of low-income, ethnic-racial group families and children. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the past year, three graduate students and multiple undergraduate students collaborated on the project. All of the graduate students participated in preparing scholarly manuscripts for publicationand one student will use the data for her dissertation. Over the course of the project students developedkey research skills.They learned about qualitative research methodologies andgained experience in data collection strategies, including interviewing and observation. They learned how to code qualitative data, using data management programs and other data analytic techniques. As members of a research team, students participated in meetingsto interpret the findings from the interview and observational data. Students also gained knowledge on interpersonal and ethical issues in conducting qualitative research. During the various years of the project, students had opportunities to complete dissertations and publications. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?During the past year, the research findings have been disseminated through two scholarly publications (Journal of Communication Disordersand Journal of Negro Education) and conference presentations (International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry). Scholarly publications and conference presentations are relevant for scholars and practitioners concerned with the impact of neighborhoods on family life, and family literacy and child development. Additionally, the research was used to inform a series of parenting workshops in preschool settings and focused on family-based child literacy development and family involvement. In previous years, the research findings have been disseminated in other journals, including the International Journal of the Constructed Environment, Journal of Comparative Family Studies,Journal of Family Issues, Journal of Family Psychology, Journal of Leisure Studies, Journal of Poverty, and Journal of Women, Gender, and Families of Color. Several conference venues provided opportunities to share the research findings, including the American Educational Research Association Conference, American Sociological Association Conference, Annual Head Start Conference, Constructed Environment Conference, Food Studies Conference, International Making Cities Livable Conference, and the National Council on Family Relations Conference. Through the publications and conferences we specifically discussed how to implement the research findings in school and community-settings, including the development of family-based neighborhood social networks and parenting groups. These publications and presentations also offered insights into how to develop home-school partnerships, noting facilitators and barriers, and how to implement health and nutrition workshops in community settings. In our publications and presentations we further highlight the policy implications of the research with respect to child health and well-being, child literacy development, family strengthening, and neighborhood enrichment. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the past year, qualitative interview data on resilient parenting practices to support school readiness were collected and analyzed for publications. Low-income children living in impoverishedneighborhoods are cited as being "at-risk" for poor educational outcomes. However, focusing on a high quality preschool in an impoverished neighborhoodand supportive parenting practices, we found in-home learning strategies that low-income, African American mothers used to enhance children's literacy development. A major strategy was the use of extended kin. Grandmothers, aunts, resident/non-resident fathers, and adult and child siblings were engaged in child literacy activities. Families collectively supported children's reading, writing, and oral language development using multiple resources (e.g., books, games, puzzles). During the course of the project, we identified family practices that promoted the safety and well-being of adult and child family members in high-risk, low-resource neighborhoods. Through strong ties with extended kin, families were able to garner social, financial, affective, and childcare support despite limited neighborhood resources. The research also identified the good quality resources that were available in impoverished neighborhoods, such as neighborhood garden organizations that provided social support to families, but also served to stabilize challenged neighborhoods. The research identified resilient adult practices that promoted positive child development in a number of areas, including child health and nutrition, and child physical activities. In response to the poor quality of the neighborhood food environment, families used restrictive food management strategies to limit unhealthy eating, while employing promotional strategies to encourage healthy eating. In response to physical activity obstacles in the neighborhood built environment, families devised ways to promote child physical activity, including chaperonage and collective supervision inoutdoor spaces. More generally, the research findings document patterns that families developed while living in resource-poor, high-risk neighborhoods. On the one hand families utilized strategies that insulate its members from the more negative aspects of neighborhood life (e.g., crime, food deserts). In tandem with buffering strategies, families also utilized promotional strategies that allow them to seek out the positive, albeit limited, resources that do exist in low-income neighborhoods.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Jarrett, R.L. and Coba-Rodriguez, S. 2015.) My mother didnt play about education: Low-income, African American mothers early school experiences and their impact on school involvement for preschoolers transitioning to kindergarten. Journal of Negro Education.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Jarrett, R.L., Hamilton, M-B. and Coba-Rodriguez, S. 2015. So we would all pitch in: The family literacy practices of low-income, African American mothers of preschoolers. Journal of Communication Disorders, Vol. 15, pp. 81-93.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Jarrett, R.L., Sensoy Bahar, O. and Kersh, R. 2014. When we do sit down together - Family meal times in low-income African American families with preschoolers. Journal of Family Issues. pp. 1-31.
|
Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Four key audiences can utilize the findings from this research: These include scholars, community-based organizations and institutions, families, and policy makers. Scholars from diverse disciplines (Sociology, Family Studies, Community Health, Education, African-American Studies, and Social Work) can benefit from the substantive and theoretical insights on family-parenting practices within the context of resource-poor neighborhoods. Community-based social service organizations concerned with promoting positive child-youth development, enhancing family life, and building strong communities, preschools, elementary schools, and local families will benefit from the applied components of the research findings. Substantive findings can be used to inform staff trainings and parent workshops. Larger policy venues that focus on education and family strengthening can use the research findings to develop prevention and intervention strategies that will be culturally- and contextually-relevant. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Three graduate students, as well as multiple undergraduate students worked on the project. Students learned about key qualitative data collection strategies (interviewing and observation) and data analysis strategies. The latter entailed transcribing interviews and coding the data using a qualitative data management program. Students participated in debriefings to interpret the findings from the interview and observational data. Two of the graduate students are using data from the project to complete Ph.D. work. Graduate students participated in publication activities and national conference presentations. Undergraduate students participated in university research programs as part of the research which included campus presentations. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The research provides relevant substantive and theoretical insights to scholars concerned with low-income African-American families living in inner-city communities. Substantively, these data detail the daily lives and behaviors of low-income, African-American families. Theoretically, our data contribute to neighborhood effects and family resilience theories. Our findings suggest patterns that buffer families from negative neighborhood conditions. Some families are able to overcome the adversity of living in low-resource, high risk neighborhoods.We specifically identify family patterns that promote positive family coping, some of which reflect subcultural traditions. These contributions have been disseminated through scholarly presentations and publications. The research provides insights for policy makers, service providers, and families concerned with building strong communities and enhancing family life. Findings on neighborhood resources and neighborhood barriers will help to inform contextually-relevant prevention and intervention strategies. Relatedly, an understanding of African American family coping strategies will promote culturally-sensitive collaborations with service providers and the development of culturally-relevant intervention and prevention strategies that improve the lives of inner-city families and children. Applied study findings have been presented at community organizations through meetings with staff and through workshops with parents. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The next phase of research will consist of continued analysis of parenting and community data, collection of qualitative interview data, completion of manuscripts for publication, and the presentation of preliminary findings at scholarly conferences and community forums.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Based on qualitative data collected on child health and well-being, we examined how low-income African American families coped with food insecurity. This research allowed us to explore the experiences of and processes for managing food insecurity, thereby expanding on quantitative measures of food insecurity that focus only on the existence and severity of food insecurity. In response to gaps in the literature, we also examined the ways that households configured these strategies. Key findings emerged. The experience of food insecurity was common in our sample. The majority of households experienced periods of food insecurity and food security. Food management strategies fell within food-based, network-based, and institution-based categories. Participants used multiple strategies within and across all three categories. We distinguished between core and supplementary strategies and detailed how caregivers combined these two types of strategies in diverse ways. Our findings theoretically nuance discussions of food insecurity by introducing the concept of resilience. We detail the specific strategies used in response to the adversity of food insecurity, as well as their effects. With few exceptions, most studies downplay caregivers’ active stance and the psychological benefits of some food management strategies. Caregivers expressed pride in their coping efforts, particularly food-based strategies that required planning and decision making skills. Our data suggest that caregivers’ management activities promoted feelings of efficacy and control, positive self-esteem, and hopefulness. Even in households that used crisis-oriented strategies, reliance on supportive kin for instrumental aid and expressions of emotional support may have buffered households from a greater sense of despair in the absence of this assistance. We continue to analyze data on other resilient family practices associated with child health and well-being, including family meal time practices. We are also collecting interview data on parenting beliefs and practices among low-income families that promote young children's transition to school.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Jarrett, R.L., Sensoy Bahar, O. and Odoms-Young, A. "You Just Have to Build a Bridge and Get Over It": Low-Income African-American Caregivers Coping Strategies to Manage Inadequate Food Supplies. Journal of Poverty, Vol. 18, pp. 1-32.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Jarrett, R.L., Sensoy Bahar, O. and McPherson, E. Do What You Gotta Do": How Low-income African American Mothers Manage Food Insecurity. In: Family Problems: Stress, Risk, and Resilience, pps. 101-116. Edited by Joyce A. Arditti. John Wiley and Sons.
|
Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The research provides relevant substantive and theoretical insights to scholars concerned with low-income African American families living in inner-city communities. Substantively, these data detail the daily lives and behaviors of low-income, African American families. Theoretically, our data contribute to neighborhood effects and family resilience theories. Our findings suggest patterns that buffer families from negative neighborhood conditions. Some families are able to overcome the adversity of living in low-resource, high risk neighborhoods. We specifically identify family patterns that promote positive family coping, some of which reflect subcultural traditions. The research provides insights for policy makers and service providers concerned with building strong communities and families. Findings on neighborhood resources and neighborhood barriers will help to inform contextually-relevant prevention and intervention strategies. Relatedly, an understanding of African American family coping strategies will promote culturally-sensitive collaborations with service providers and the development of culturally-relevant intervention and prevention strategies that improve the lives of inner-city families and children. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Four graduate students, as well as multiple undergraduate students worked on the project. Students learned about key qualitative data collection strategies (interviewing, observation) and data analytic strategies. The latter entailed transcribing interviews and coding the data using a qualitative data management program. Students participated in debriefings to interpret the findings from the interview and observational data. One of the graduate students is using data from the project to complete his Ph.D. Three graduate students participated in publication activities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Data from our research have been presented to peers for review and validation. The implication of the findings for application have been presented to community-based service providers who work with low-income African American families and children living in inner city communities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The next phase of research entails: Continued analysis of parenting and community data. Completion of manuscripts for publication. Presentation of preliminary findings at scholarly conferences and community forums.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Qualitative data were collected and analyzed for publications. Key findings emerged on parental practices around child health and nutrition and child physical activity. Little research examines how families respond to the neighborhood food environment and family poverty barriers to children’s nutritional health. Informed by a family strengths/resilience perspective that emphasizes agency, we used qualitative data from low-income African American caregivers to explore strategies that caregivers used to promote the nutritional health of their preschool age children. We identified multiple restrictive and promotional strategies that caregivers utilized in the face of limited family resources and the poor quality of the neighborhood food environment. Monitoring was used as the key restrictive strategy to counter children’s less healthy eating practices. Six promotional strategies which included selective food availability, cooking techniques, creative meal preparation and presentation, positive role-modeling, teaching and instruction, and media reinforcement were used to enhance healthy nutritional patterns.These findings fill a substantive gap in our understanding of health promoting practices in low-income, African American households,and provide direction for government food assistance programs. We also used qualitative interviews with low-income African American caregivers of preschoolers to explore neighborhood obstacles to children’s physical activity and the strategies caregivers used against these challenges. Built environment barriers included social and physical disorder, crime and violence, speeding traffic, and stray dogs.Recreational settings were few, inaccessible, and poorly equipped and maintained. In addition to high facility fees and few organized activities, recreational settings had high levels of disorder and violence.Despite barriers, caregivers used strategies to promote physical activity, including environmental appraisal, boundary enforcement, chaperonage, collective supervision, and local- and extra-local resource brokering. These findings document how caregivers’ strategies represent intervening processes in response to the built environment. The findings further provide place- and asset-based recommendations.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Jarrett, R.L., McPherson, E.M. and Sensoy Bahar, O. "Hes still a child right now, so he has a long way to go to try to keep his health up there": Caregiver strategies to promote the nutritional health of low-income, African American children. Journal of Women, Gender, and Families of Color. Vol. 1, pp.1-32.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Jarrett, R.L. Sensoy Bahar, O., McPherson, E.M. and Williams, D.A. No child left inside: The built environment and caregiver strategies to promote child physical activity. Journal of Leisure Studies. Vol. 45 (4), 485-513.
|
Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The goal of the research was to identify chronic stressors in the lives of low-income, African American families living in inner-city neighborhoods and the coping strategies used to address these stressors. This research was a response to theoretical discussions that argued that organizational characteristics of impoverished inner-city communities undermine family functioning. According to theorists, families are unable to develop stable domestic routines or properly socialize their children in environments with large numbers of disadvantaged neighbors, few social or institutional supports, and unconventional value systems. In contrast, our research examined how families overcame the adversity of living in low-resource, high risk neighborhoods. The research was informed by a family resilience framework. This approach focuses on family strengths and assets. Methodologically, an interpretive framework characterized the qualitative data collection: We sought to describe the daily lived experiences of participants and to understand the meanings that they gave to those experiences. Multiple data collection strategies were used: These included neighborhood observations, participant observation, open-ended, in-depth interviews, and photo elicitation interviews. The interview and observational data examined topics that illuminated coping strategies, such as family routines, social networks and social support, use of neighborhood resources, nutrition, health, and well-being, and parenting and childrearing. Additional insights on the larger neighborhood context focused on local organizations, including community gardening groups. To analyze the data we used an inductive approach that facilitated the discovery of meanings and social processes as they emerged from the data in addition to sensitizing concepts from extant literatures. We transcribed and coded the interview and observational data to identify key themes. To further facilitate the conceptualization processes and identify patterns among the families, we used data displays and analytic memos. Our research activities have been presented at annual conferences that are specifically concerned with families and bring together scholars who work on these issues. Research findings from the study were presented at the Annual Head Start Conference and The International Food Conference. These presentations have provided peer review of our findings and suggestions on how the research can be further made applicable for programs that serve low-income, African American families and children. PARTICIPANTS: Four graduate students as well as multiple undergraduate students worked on the project. Graduate students were trained to conduct qualitative interviews with family members and local residents, observe family interactions and patterns, and observe neighborhood conditions and characteristics. As part of the training, graduate and undergraduate students learned data analytic techniques, including transcribing interviews and coding the data using a qualitative data management program. All of the students participated in debriefings to interpret the findings from the interview and observational data. Two of the research assistants will use data from the project to complete their Ph.D.s. Graduate students have been included on manuscripts submitted for peer review. TARGET AUDIENCES: The research provides insights for policy makers and service providers concerned with building strong communities and families. Findings on neighborhood resources and neighborhood barriers will help to inform contextually-relevant prevention and intervention strategies. Relatedly, an understanding of African-American family coping strategies will promote culturally-sensitive collaborations with service providers and the development of culturally-relevant intervention and prevention strategies that improve the lives of inner-city families and children. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Key insights emerged from our analysis of caregiver strategies to promote child physical activities. Low-income, African American caregivers of preschool age children believed that it was important to promote child physical activity through their own efforts. Caregivers identified protective parenting strategies such as monitoring, boundary enforcement, and chaperonage, and support from trusted family and non-family adults. We were also interested in generating insights from caregivers themselves to inform local policies and programs. In this regard, we used a collaborative framework with a key goal of empowerment. That is, we highlighted the importance of local residents providing first-hand insights based on their daily lived experience. Further, we sought to validate the importance of caregivers being key stakeholders in changes processes. Caregivers had clear recommendations for policy makers to enhance physical activity options in the local neighborhood. They identified the need for safe spaces free from physical and moral dangers, including better formal and informal social control efforts. Caregivers also identified good quality parks and programs that already existed in the neighborhood that could be used as the infrastructure for additional programming and activities. With updating to the facilities and expanded physical activities specifically geared to the developmental needs of young children, caregivers saw the value of having resources close to home rather than traveling to higher income neighborhoods for child recreational activities. Making such activities affordable was important. Caregivers suggested that a more varied array of physical activity options should be made available, rather than a narrow range of recreational activities typically associated with African Americans (e.g., basketball). Vacant lots on residential blocks were cited as ideal settings for small pocket parks where caregivers could easily monitor young children and caregivers could easily walk to. The research findings provide substantive, theoretical, and applied insights. Substantively, these data provide insights on family processes within low-income, African American families. Theoretically, our data contribute to neighborhood effects and family resilience theories. Our findings suggest patterns that buffer families from negative neighborhood conditions. Some families are able to overcome the adversity of living in low-resource, high risk neighborhoods. Our findings also contribute to family resilience theory. We specifically identify family patterns that promote positive family coping, some of which reflect subcultural traditions. Applied programs that seek to improve the lives of low-income, African American families will need to take into account subcultural family practices. In addition to culturally-relevant practices, practitioners will need to consider the constraints and resources found in inner-city neighborhoods.
Publications
- Jarrett, R.L. Sensoy Bahar, O., McPherson, E.M., and Williams, D.A. 2012. The kids need a safe place to play: Caregiver recommendations for promoting child physical activity in an inner-city neighborhood. International Journal of the Constructed Environment 2(3), 233-254.
|
Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The goal of the research is to identify chronic stressors in the lives of low-income, African American families living in inner-city neighborhoods and the coping strategies used to address these stressors. This research was a response to theoretical discussions that argued that organizational characteristics of impoverished inner-city communities undermine family functioning. According to theorists, families are unable to develop stable domestic routines or properly socialize their children in environments with large numbers of disadvantaged neighbors, few social or institutional supports, and unconventional value systems. In contrast, our research examined how families overcame the adversity of living in low-resource, high-risk neighborhoods. The research was informed by a family resilience framework. This approach focuses on family strengths and assets. Methodologically, an interpretive framework characterized the qualitative data collection: We sought to describe the daily lived experiences of participants and to understand the meanings that they gave to those experiences. Multiple data collection strategies were used: These included neighborhood observations, participant observation, open-ended, in-depth interviews, and photo elicitation interviews. The interview and observational data examined topics that illuminated coping strategies, such as family routines, social networks and social support, use of neighborhood resources, nutrition, health, and well-being, and parenting and childrearing. Additional insights on the larger neighborhood context focused on local organizations, including community gardening groups. To analyze the data we used an inductive approach that facilitated the discovery of meanings and social processes as they emerged from the data in addition to sensitizing concepts from extant literatures. We transcribed and coded the interview and observational data to identify key themes. To further facilitate the conceptualization processes and identify patterns among the families, we used data displays and analytic memos. Our research activities have been presented at annual conferences that are specifically concerned with families and bring together scholars who work on these issues. Research findings from the study were presented at annual meetings of The International Conference on Qualitative Inquiry, Conference on the Constructed Environment, and The Food Studies Conference. These presentations have provided peer review of our findings and suggestions on how the research can be further made applicable for programs that serve low-income, African American families and children. PARTICIPANTS: Participants: Four graduate students, as well as multiple undergraduate students worked on the project. Graduate students were trained to conduct qualitative interviews with family members and local residents, observe family interactions and patterns, and observe neighborhood conditions and characteristics. As part of the training, graduate and undergraduate students learned data analytic techniques, including transcribing interviews and coding the data using a qualitative data management program. All of the students participated in debriefings to interpret the findings from the interview and observational data. Two of the research assistants will use data from the project to complete their dissertations. All of the graduate students have been included on manuscripts submitted for peer review. TARGET AUDIENCES: The research provides insights for policy makers and service providers concerned with building strong communities and families. Findings on neighborhood resources and neighborhood barriers will help to inform contextually-relevant prevention and intervention strategies. Relatedly, an understanding of African American family coping strategies will promote culturally-sensitive collaborations with service providers and the development of culturally-relevant intervention and prevention strategies that improve the lives of inner-city families and children. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Key themes have emerged from the data concerning parenting strategies. Caregivers identified protective strategies such as monitoring, boundary enforcement, and chaperonage. Monitoring consisted of careful supervision of children's activities in and outside of the home. Boundary enforcement was the process of placing specific parameters on children's spatial proximity from the home. Chaperonage involved caregiver and kin-based assistance to escort children to and from activities to ensure that children were safe. Caregivers also identified strategies of social isolation and/or avoidance of negative situations or people they deemed as less desirable or dangerous. Additionally, extended kin-based networks were acknowledged as a "safe people" for children to socialize with when social interactions with neighbors or other youth were restricted. Our inquiries into nutrition, health and well-being revealed how resilient families addressed inadequate grocery stores and few safe recreational outlets. We found high levels of food insecurity in households, but also active food-based, social network-based, and institutional-based coping strategies to manage limited food supplies. With respect to child physical activity, we found that mothers used several strategies (environmental appraisal, boundary enforcement, chaperonage, kin-based play groups, collective monitoring, and local- and extra-local resource brokering) to promote their children's physical activity, despite multiple social and physical barriers in the local neighborhood. In our focus on families within the context of neighborhoods, we are beginning to gather new information on larger collective efforts to revitalize the neighborhood through community gardens. Within the target community, residents are using community gardens to build social networks to address issues of crime, disengagement, as well as for addressing nutrition concerns. The research findings provide substantive, theoretical, and applied insights. Substantively, these data provide insights on family processes within low-income, African American families, as well as insights on organizational features of inner-city neighborhoods. Theoretically, our data contribute to neighborhood effects and family resilience theories. Our findings suggest patterns that buffer families from negative neighborhood conditions. Some families are able to overcome the adversity of living in low-resource, high risk neighborhoods. Our findings also contribute to family resilience theory. We specifically identify family patterns that promote positive family coping, some of which reflect subcultural traditions. Applied programs that seek to improve the lives of low-income, African American families will need to take into account subcultural family practices. In addition to culturally-relevant practices, practitioners will need to consider the constraints and resources found in inner-city neighborhoods.
Publications
- Jarrett, R.L., Jefferson, S.R. and Kelly, J.N. 2010. Finding community in family: African-American extended kin networks in the inner-city. Journal of Comparative Family Studies. 30: 177-187.
- Jarrett, R.L., Sensoy Bahar, O. and Taylor, M.A. 2011. Holler, run, be loud: Strategies for promoting child physical activity in a low-income, African-American neighborhood. Journal of Family Psychology (In Press).
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The goal of the research was to identify chronic stressors in the lives of low-income, African American families living in inner-city neighborhoods and the coping strategies used to address these stressors. This research was a response to theoretical discussions that argued that organizational characteristics of impoverished inner-city communities undermine family functioning. According to theorists, families are unable to develop stable domestic routines or properly socialize their children in environments with large numbers of disadvantaged neighbors, few social or institutional supports, and unconventional value systems. In contrast, our research examined how families overcame the adversity of living in low-resource, high risk neighborhoods. The research was informed by a family resilience framework. This approach focuses on family strengths and assets. Methodologically, an interpretive framework characterized the qualitative data collection: We sought to describe the daily lived experiences of participants and to understand the meanings that they gave to those experiences. Multiple data collection strategies were used: these included neighborhood observations, participant observation with families, open-ended, in-depth interviews, and photo elicitation interviews. The interview and observational data examined topics that illuminated coping strategies, such as family routines, social networks and social support, use of neighborhood resources, nutrition, health, and well-being, and parenting and childrearing. To analyze the data we used an inductive approach that facilitated the discovery of meanings and social processes as they emerged from the data in addition to sensitizing concepts from extant literatures. We transcribed and coded the interview and observational data to identify key themes. To further facilitate the conceptualization processes and identify patterns among the families, we used data displays and analytic memos. Our research activities have been presented at annual conferences that are specifically concerned with families or families of color and bring together scholars who work on these issues. Research findings from the study were presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Council on Family Relations. Other conferences included those specifically targeted to practitioners who work with families within urban communities: Two papers were presented at the Annual Head Start Conference. An additional paper was presented at the International Making Cities Livable Conference on Planning Healthy and Child Friendly Communities, Charleston, South Carolina. These presentations have provided peer review of our findings and suggestions on how the research can be further made applicable for programs that serve low-income, African American families and children. PARTICIPANTS: Four graduate students as well as multiple undergraduate students worked on the project. Graduate students were trained to conduct qualitative interviews with family members, observe family interactions and patterns, and observe neighborhood conditions and characteristics. As part of the training, graduate and undergraduate students learned data analytic techniques, including transcribing the resulting interview data verbatim and coding the data using a qualitative data management program. All of the students participated in debriefings to interpret the findings from the interview and observational data. Two of the research assistants will use data from the project to complete their Ph.D.s. All of the graduate students have been included on manuscripts submitted for peer review. TARGET AUDIENCES: The research provides insights for policy makers and service providers concerned with building strong communities and families. Findings on neighborhood resources and neighborhood barriers will help to inform contextually-relevant prevention and intervention strategies. Relatedly, an understanding of African American family coping strategies will promote culturally-sensitive collaborations with service providers and the development of culturally-relevant intervention and prevention strategies that improve the lives of inner-city families and children. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Key findings have emerged concerning family coping strategies: Extended kinship relationships are a major factor affecting low-income, African American families' coping abilities. Extended kin networks bolstered mothers of young children in critical ways: they provided instrumental support, including money, housing, food and clothing, child care, and domestic services. Extended kin also provided affective and social support to its members. Well-functioning families were able to manage local dangers through a range of protective strategies: Adult members restricted social relations with troublesome residents, instead limiting much of their social life to kin-based activities. They confined their activities to "safe' neighborhood locations. With respect to young children, mothers found local resources that benefitted their children's development, including Head Start. Mothers also monitored their children's activities and kept them close to home. Our inquiries into nutrition, health and well-being revealed how resilient families addressed neighborhoods saturated with fast food restaurants, corner stores and limited safe recreational outlets. Families' ability to maintain good physical health through recreation and dietary practices are related to managing neighborhood constraints, such as locating good quality grocery stores outside of the local neighborhood and participating in recreational activities in safe neighborhood niches. We added new insights on child physical activity. Mothers used several strategies (neighborhood appraisal, chaperonage, collective monitoring, and local- and extra-local resource brokering) to promote their children's physical activity. These findings have implications for child health across the life cycle. Extended kin were relevant for members' nutritional health: Resilient families pooled monetary resources to enlarge families' food budgets and assisted mothers with feeding young children. Mothers also used a range of nutritional management strategies to enhance the nutrition of their children, such as selective food purchases and restricted access to unhealthy foods. The research findings provide substantive, theoretical, and applied insights. Substantively, these data provide insights into patterns of family organization and interaction patterns among low-income, African American families living in inner-city neighborhoods. Theoretically, our data contribute to neighborhood effects and family resilience theories. Our findings suggest patterns that buffer families from negative neighborhood conditions. Some families are able to overcome the adversity of living in low-resource, high risk neighborhoods. Our findings also contribute to family resilience theory. We specifically identify family patterns that promote positive family coping, some of which reflect subcultural traditions. Applied programs that seek to improve the lives of low-income, African American families will need to take into account subcultural practices exemplified within kin networks. In addition to culturally-relevant practices, practitioners will need to consider the constraints and resources found in inner-city neighborhoods.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The goal of the research was to identify chronic stressors in the lives of low-income, African American families living in inner-city neighborhoods and the coping strategies used to address these stressors. This research was a response to theoretical discussions that argued that the compositional, social, institutional, and normative elements of impoverished inner-city communities undermine family organization and functioning. According to theorists, families are unable to develop stable domestic routines or properly socialize their children in environments with large numbers of disadvantaged neighbors, few social or institutional supports, and ghetto-oriented value systems. In contrast, our research examined how families overcame the adversity of living in low-resource, high risk neighborhoods. The research was informed by a family resilience framework. This approach focuses on family strengths, how families marshal resources to promote stability in the face of adversity, and the ecological context of coping. Methodologically, an interpretive framework characterized the qualitative data collection; we sought to capture and describe the daily lived experiences of participants and to understand the meanings that the women gave to those experiences. Multiple data collection strategies were used: these included neighborhood observations, participant observation with families, open-ended, in-depth interviews, and photo elicitation interviews. The interview and observational data examined topics that illuminated coping strategies, such as family routines, social networks and social support, use of neighborhood resources, nutrition, health and well-being, and parenting and childrearing. To analyze the data we used an inductive approach that facilitated the discovery of meanings and social processes as they emerged from the data in addition to sensitizing concepts from extant literatures. We transcribed and coded the interview and observational data to identify key themes. To further facilitate the conceptualization processes and identify patterns among the families, we used data displays and analytic memos. Our research activities have been presented at annual conferences that are specifically concerned with families or families of color and bring together scholars who work on these issues. Research findings from the study were presented at the National Council on Family Relations and the National Council of Black Studies. Other conferences settings included those specifically targeted to practitioners who work with families within urban communities, including the Annual Family Support Conference, Family Policy Council, and the Annual Head Start Conference. Additionally, this work has been shared with scholars in university settings, including the University of Illinois-Chicago and University of North Carolina, and at a major health conference sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control. These presentations have provided peer review of our findings and suggestions on how the research findings can be further made applicable for programs that serve low-income, African American families and children. PARTICIPANTS: Two research assistants worked on the project. They were trained to conduct open ended qualitative interviews with family members, observe family interactions and patterns, and observe neighborhood conditions and characteristics. As part of the training, research assistants also learned data analysis techniques, including transcribing the resulting interview data verbatim and coding the data using a qualitative data management program. Both assistants participated in debriefings with the principal investigator on the meaning and interpretations of the interview and observational data. One of the research assistants used the project data to complete her Ph.D. in family studies and was included as a co-author on two peer review journal articles. TARGET AUDIENCES: The research provides insights for policy makers and service providers concerned with building strong communities and families. Findings on neighborhood resources and neighborhood barriers will help to inform contextually-relevant prevention and intervention strategies. Relatedly, an understanding of African American family coping strategies will promote culturally-sensitive collaborations with service providers and the development of culturally-relevant intervention and prevention strategies that improve the lives of inner-city families and children. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Key findings have emerged concerning family coping strategies: Extended kinship relationships proved to be a major factor affecting low-income, African American families' coping abilities. Effective extended kin networks bolstered mothers of young children in critical ways: they provided instrumental support, including money, housing, food and clothing, child care, and domestic services. Extended kin also provided affective and social support to its members. Positive kin support was a critical response to limited local resources. Well-functioning families also were able to manage local dangers through a range of protective strategies: adult members avoided or restricted social relations with troublesome residents, instead limiting much of their social life to kin-based activities. They also confined their activities in the neighborhood to 'safe' locations. With respect to young children, mothers found local resources that benefitted their children's development, including Head Start. Mothers also closely monitored their children's activities and kept them close to home. Our inquiries into nutrition, health and well-being revealed how resilient families addressed neighborhoods saturated with fast food restaurants, corner stores and limited safe recreational outlets. Families' ability to maintain good physical health through recreation and dietary practices are, in part, related to managing neighborhood constraints, such as locating good quality grocery stores outside of the local neighborhood and participating in recreational activities in safe neighborhood niches. Extended kin were also relevant to members' health: within resilient families, members pooled monetary resources to enlarge families' food budgets, and assisted mothers with the feeding of young children. Mothers also used a range of nutritional management strategies to enhance the nutrition of their children, such as selective food purchases, restricted access to less healthy foods, and providing food for children when they were outside of the home. The research findings provide substantive, theoretical, and applied insights. Substantively, these data provide first-hand insights into patterns of family organization and interaction patterns among low-income, African American families living in inner-city neighborhoods. From a theoretical perspective, our data contribute to neighborhood effects theories and family resilience theory. Our findings suggest patterns that buffer families from negative neighborhood conditions. Contrary to neighborhood effects models, some families are able to overcome the very real adversity of living in low-resource, high risk neighborhoods. Our findings also contribute to family resilience theory. We specifically identify family patterns that promote positive family coping, some of which reflect subcultural traditions. Applied programs that seek to improve the lives of low-income, African American families will need to take into account subcultural practices exemplified within extended kin networks. In addition to culturally relevant practices, practitioners will need to take into account the constraints and resources found in inner-city neighborhoods.
Publications
- Jarrett, R.L., Jefferson, S.R. and Kelly, J.N. 2010. Finding community in family: African American extended kin networks in the inner-city. Journal of Comparative Family Studies.
- Jarrett, R.L. and Jefferson, S.M. 2004. Women's danger management strategies in a public housing project. Family Relations, 53:136-147.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This research project began in 10-2004 and the goal has been to identify chronic stressors in the lives of low-income, African American families living in inner-city neighborhoods and the coping strategies used to address these stressors. During years one through three, we conducted open-ended, qualitative interviews with families on topics that illuminated coping strategies, including family routines, social networks and social support, use of neighborhood resources, nutrition, health and well-being, and parenting and childrearing. Using a recursive analytic approach, we transcribed and analyzed the interviews on an ongoing basis to identify key themes. During the past year we conducted more interviews focusing on nutrition, health, and well-being and continued analyses that were guided by an inductive analytic framework. Findings have emerged concerning family coping strategies: Family routines are related to perceptions of neighborhood dangers and access to resources. The quality of family relationships (e.g., cohesion) and the nature of social support from extended kin impacted on the ability of families to manage the stressors associated with neighborhoods with limited resources and multiple dangers. Inquiries into nutrition, health and well-being highlight the role of neighborhood setting. Neighborhoods pose constraints on families' access to safe recreational facilities and high quality foods found in large grocery stores. Families' ability to maintain good physical health through recreation and dietary practices are, in part, related to managing neighborhood constraints, such as locating good quality grocery stores outside of the local neighborhood and participating in recreational activities in safe neighborhood niches. Recent interviews are also beginning to reveal strategies that mothers use to manage the food intake and physical health of young children. Two manuscripts were completed and submitted to scholarly journals and are currently being revised for resubmission. PARTICIPANTS: A research assistant who was trained to conduct open ended qualitative interviews with family members, observe family interactions and patterns, and observe neighborhood conditions and characteristics continued on the project. Additionally, the researcher transcribed the resulting interview data verbatim. The assistant participated in debriefings with the principal investigator on the meaning and interpretations of the interview and observational data. TARGET AUDIENCES: The research will provide insights for policy makers and service providers concerned with building strong communities and families. Findings on neighborhood resources and neighborhood barriers will help to inform contextually-relevant prevention and intervention strategies. Relatedly, an understanding of African American family coping strategies will promote culturally-sensitive collaborations with service providers and the development of culturally-relevant intervention and prevention strategies. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
It is expected that the findings from the investigation will make substantive and theoretical contributions. From a substantive perspective, the research will identify the coping strategies of families that allow them to overcome the stressors associated with low-resource, high-risk neighborhoods, as well as those family factors that enhance families' vulnerability. From a theoretical perspective, the forthcoming findings should contribute to theories of family resilience. Such findings will expand on general theories of resilience by noting the importance of ethnic-racial family subcultures and neighborhood context.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This research project began in 10-2004 and the goal has been to identify chronic stressors in the lives of low-income, African American families living in low-resource, high-risk neighborhoods and the coping strategies used to address these stressors. During years one and two, the researcher conducted open-ended, qualitative interviews with families on topics that illuminated coping strategies, including family routines, social networks and social support, use of neighborhood resources, nutrition, health, and well-being, and parenting and childrearing. Using a recursive analytic approach, interviews have been transcribed and analyzed on an ongoing basis to identify relevant themes. During the past year more extensive analyses have continued and been guided by an inductive analytic framework. Insights from the research were presented at the annual conference of the National Council on Black Studies.
PARTICIPANTS: A research assistant was trained in data collection and data analytic strategies. The assistant learned to conduct open-ended qualitative interviews with family members, observe family interactions and patterns, and observe neighborhood conditions and characteristics. Additionally, the research assistant transcribed the resulting interview data verbatim. The assistant participated in debriefings with the principal investigator on the meaning and interpretations of the interview and observational data.
TARGET AUDIENCES: The research will provide insights for applied family scholars, policy makers, and service providers concerned with building strong communities and families. Findings on neighborhood resources and neighborhood barriers will help to inform contextually-relevant prevention and intervention strategies. Relatedly, an understanding of African American family coping strategies will promote culturally-sensitive collaborations with service providers and the development of culturally-relevant intervention and prevention strategies.
Impacts
Key findings have emerged concerning family coping strategies: Family routines are related to perceptions of neighborhood dangers and access to resources. The quality of family relationships (e.g., cohesion) and the nature of social support from extended kin impacted on the ability of families to manage the stressors associated with neighborhoods with limited resources and multiple dangers. Inquiries into nutrition, health and well-being highlight the role of neighborhood context. Such settings pose constraints on families' access to safe recreational facilities and high quality foods found in large grocery stores. Families' ability to maintain good physical health through recreation and dietary practices are, in part, related to managing neighborhood constraints, such as locating good quality grocery stores outside of the local neighborhood and participating in recreational activities in safe neighborhood niches. It is expected that the findings from the investigation
will make substantive and theoretical contributions. From a substantive perspective, the research will identify the coping strategies of families that allow them to overcome the stressors associated with low-resource, high-risk neighborhoods, as well as those family factors that enhance families' vulnerability. From a theoretical perspective, the forthcoming findings should contribute to theories of family resilience. Such findings will expand on general theories of resilience by noting the importance of ethnic-racial family subcultures and neighborhood context.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
The goal of the study was to identify chronic stressors in the lives of low-income, African American families living in low-resource, high-risk neighborhoods and the coping strategies used to address these stressors. Years one and two entailed conducting open-ended, qualitative interviews with families on key topics that illuminated coping strategies, including family routines, social networks and social support, use of neighborhood resources, nutrition, health, and well-being, and parenting and childrearing. Using a recursive analytic approach, interviews have been transcribed and analyzed on an ongoing basis to identify relevant themes. Early analyses document important findings concerning family coping strategies: Family routines are related to perceptions of neighborhood dangers and access to resources. The quality of family relationships (e.g., cohesion) and the nature of social support from extended kin impacted on the ability of families to manage the stressors
associated with neighborhoods with limited resources and multiple dangers. Inquiries into nutrition, health and well-being highlight the role of neighborhood context. Such settings pose constraints on families' access to safe recreational facilities and high quality foods found in large grocery stores. Families' ability to maintain good physical health through recreation and dietary practices are, in part, related to managing neighborhood constraints, such as locating good quality grocery stores outside of the local neighborhood and participating in recreational activities in safe neighborhood niches.
Impacts
It is expected that the findings from the investigation will make substantive, theoretical, and applied contributions. From a substantive perspective, the research will identify the coping strategies of families that allow them to overcome the stressors associated with low-resource, high-risk neighborhoods, as well as those family factors that enhance families' vulnerability. From a theoretical perspective, the forthcoming findings should contribute to theories of family resilience. Such findings will expand on general theories of resilience by noting the importance of ethnic-racial family subcultures and neighborhood context. From an applied perspective, the research will provide insights for policy makers and service providers concerned with building strong communities and families. Findings on neighborhood resources and neighborhood barriers will help to inform contextually-relevant prevention and intervention strategies. Relatedly, an understanding of African
American family coping strategies will promote culturally-sensitive collaborations with service providers and the development of culturally-relevant intervention and prevention strategies.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
The research project began in October of 2004. A key objective was to identify stressors experienced by low-income, African American families living in low-resource, high-risk neighborhoods and their coping strategies. Year One entailed conducting open-ended, qualitative interviews with families on key topics, including family routines, soical networks and social support, use of neighborhood resources, nutrition, health, and well-being, and parenting and childrearing. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed for key themes and issues. Preliminary data reveal that family routines are related to perceptions of neighborhood dangers and access to local and extra-local resources. The quality of family relationships (e.g., cohesion) and the nature of social support from extended kin impacted on the ability of families to manage the stresses associated with living in impoverished, inner-city neighborhoods with limited resources and multiple dangers. Inquiries into nutrition,
health and well-being suggest the importance of neighborhood context. Such settings pose constraints on families' access to safe recreational facilities and high quality foods found in large grocery stores. Families' ability to maintain good physical health through recreation and dietary practices are, in part, related to managing neighborhood contraints, such as locating good quality grocery stores outside of the local neighborhood and participating in recreational activities in safe neighborhood niches.
Impacts
It is expected that the findings from the investigation will make substantive, theoretical, and applied contributions. From a substantive perspective, the research will identify the coping strategies of families that allow them to overcome the stressors associated with low-resource, high risk neighborhoods, as well as those family factors that enhance families' vulnerability. From a theeoretical perspective, the forthcoming findings should comtribute to theories of family resilience. Such findings will expand on general theories of resilience by noting the importance of ethnic-racial family subcultures and neighborhood context. From an applied perspective, the research will provide insights for policy makers and service providers concerned with building strong communities and families. Findings and neighborhood resources as well as neighborhood barriers will help to inform contextually relevant prevention and intervention strategies. Relatedly, an understanding of
African American family coping strategies will promote culturally sensitive collaborations with service providers and the development of culturally relevant intervention and prevention strategies.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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