The role of religion in the lives of resilient, urban, African American, single mothers

The historical and current importance of religion and spirituality in African American communities is much noted in the social sciences. Study of religious institutions and those community members who belong to religious institutions, however, is only the beginning of understanding the role of religion in communities. This qualitative study explores the role, impact, and mechanisms of religious beliefs for 10 resilient, African-American, single mothers who are raising families in risky urban neighborhoods. Half of the participants are church-affiliated, while the other half are not. Participants' discussions of the role of religion and religious thought in their lives is explored in terms of four mechanisms through which religion impacts their lives-religious settings and people; internal and individual values; behavior; and protection and blessing. Implications of the findings, for community psychology and for the design of prevention and ameliorative interventions, are discussed. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.