Date of Award

January 2023

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

LaDrea Ingram

Second Advisor

MaryAlice Lee

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of intergenerational trauma and coping mechanisms among African American women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 9 participants, and the “Transactional Model of Stress and Coping” was used to analyze the data. The results revealed complex and interconnected forms of trauma, including historical trauma, adverse childhood experiences, death, and sexual abuse. Participants also utilized a range of coping mechanisms, including spirituality, social support, self-care, and therapy. The identified codes and subthemes provide a comprehensive understanding of the different forms of trauma that participants experienced, and the various strategies they adopted and utilized to cope with trauma. These findings have important implications for healing interventions, particularly for practitioners who work with African American individuals and communities. Practitioners should be aware of the different forms of trauma that can impact African American individuals and the importance of utilizing culturally competent approaches in developing effective intergenerational interventions. Overall, this study provides insight into the complex experiences of intergenerational trauma and coping mechanisms among African American women, highlighting the need for further research and intervention development in this area.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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