This dissertation is dedicated to Mrs. idella J. Sanderson, ray mother; Mr. Watts Sanderson, Sr., my deceased father; Mr. and Mrs. Watts Sanderson, Jr., my brother and sister-in-law; Nancy Grace and Watts Sanderson, III, my niece and nephew; Ms. Nancy Jones, my very special aunt; Ms. Paula james, a very special person in my life; numerous other family members and friends; and last, but not least, God. ACKNOWIUDGEME NT S I would like to acknowledge Drs. Roderick McDavis, Joseph Wittmer, and Afesa Bell-Nathanial for their support and encouragement as my doctoral committee throughout the writing of this dissertation. Special acknowledgement is given to my chairperson. Dr. McDavis, who worked most closely with me on this project. I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Johnnie Ruth Clarke for her encouragement and faith that she had in my ability to complete the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. I would like to furthermore acknowledge and thank numerous friends, relatives, and acquaintances especially my mother and my Aunt Nancy who constantly encouraged and motivated me as wall as my sister-in-law who was very instrumental in the completion of this project. Special acknowledgement and thanks go to the single parents who participated in this study and especially to Mr. George Franklin, the President of Tampa's Parents Without Partners Organization. Without these individuals, this project would have been impossible to conduct and complete.