Stress in Black, low-income, single-parent families: Normative and dysfunctional patterns.

Stressful life events and the effects of demographic and social network variables were explored in a study of 50 clinic-referred and 76 nonclinic, black, low-income, single-parent families. Dysfunctional families evidenced greater stress and social network characteristics were not significant mediators. The family's internal resources may be the most important buffer against stress.