Date

12-19-2023

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)

Chair

Jacqueline Wirth

Keywords

African American families, food-sharing, family cohesion, communication, meal-sharing, family, food insecurity, African American, family communication, family satisfaction

Disciplines

Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

This quantitative study aims to determine whether food-sharing (gathering to eat) can be considered a suitable medium to facilitate increased cohesion within African American families. This study focuses on informal food-sharing as an extension of formal meal-sharing. Previous research links consistent formal meal-sharing to positive and secure identity development, better familial attachment, and improved family cohesion. These practices leave a lasting, detrimental impact on the African American family model. Additional barriers to some African American family meal-sharing practices include working extended and atypical work hours, food insecurity, and poor familial communication. There is a lack of research concerning the impact on African American families and food-sharing. Food-sharing, as defined in this study, is gathering to share food but not sharing a meal. This study will contribute to the relationship between the collective sharing of food and African American families. This study could be beneficial in developing culture-specific approaches to improving the quality of family communication and interactions during food-sharing to help strengthen, maintain, and repair the African American family unit.

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