Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations
Date of Award
2014
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Halmos College of Arts and Sciences - Department of Conflict Resolution Studies
First Advisor
Robin Cooper, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Claire Michele Rice, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Dustin Berna, Ph.D.
Abstract
Research on intimacy among low income Black women with their Black male partners is limited. This dissertation describes a phenomenological study conducted to understand how low-income Black women in this study navigate and cope with conflict in their relationships with their Black male partners. In this study, a qualitative approach was used to analyze narrative interview data of 10 low-income Black women over the age of twenty-one, who had been or are currently in romantic relationships with Black men that have lasted for more than five years. Ten heterosexual Black women residing in the metropolitan Charlotte, North Carolina, area participated in semi-structured interviews where they were asked to share their lived experiences of managing conflicts with their Black male partners and the meaning they found in those experiences. In analyzing the interview data, the researcher noted the participants’ descriptions of their conflict resolution styles. The outcome of the study was the identification of six major themes: Challenge of Communication, Negotiating Finances, Embracing Emotions, Contextualizing Conflict, Prominence of Infidelity, and Frequenting Faith. Themes were discussed within the context of conflict resolving mechanisms that either promote or impair intimacy surrounding heterosexual Black male-female unions. The essence of the phenomenon was described by participants as “doing everything possible” to manage conflict within the relationship. This study contributes to the field of conflict analysis and resolution by providing data on the experiences of this population previously missing from the literature, which in turn may inform scholarship and practice.
NSUWorks Citation
Charlene Hightower. 2014. "Doing Everything Possible:" A Phenomenological Study of Low-Income Black Female Experiences of Managing Conflict in Romantic Relationships with Black Male Partners. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences - Department of Conflict Resolution Studies. (254)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/shss_dcar_etd/254.