Date

12-4-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)

Chair

Catherine Packer-Williams

Keywords

Churches of Christ, church mother, strong Black woman, social support, maternal messages, other mothering, trauma

Disciplines

Counseling | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Black women in Churches of Christ as they perceive and interpret maternal messages about coping with and managing the effects of traumatic experiences. For this study, maternal messages was defined as advice, support, mentorship, or guidance from older Black Christian women to younger Black Christian women. It was important to understand the ways in which older Black women teach younger Black women in navigating mental health challenges within the context of a complex trauma history among African Americans. The first theory that guided this study was Davis’s strong Black woman collective, based on Woods-Giscombé’s strong Black woman stereotype. The second theory was the Social Support theory introduced by Cassel and Cobb. Lastly, Bowlby’s Attachment Theory was also employed. A critical area of focus in addressing the intergenerational perpetuation of maladaptive coping lied in examining the messages that Black church mothers convey to younger Black Christian women. Research indicated that Black women have a history of turning to their faith to make meaning of traumatic life events; therefore, it was important to amplify the voices of Black spiritual mothers on how to overcome life’s challenges. The impact of trauma can shape coping patterns, facilitate internal messaging, and regulate avenues of healing for Black women. Thus, this phenomenological exploration highlighted the lived experiences of Black Christian women in Churches of Christ and the messages they receive on mitigating trauma.

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