Holistic Healing: Exploring Christian Churches’ Unique Contributions to HIV-Related Stigma Reduction in Civil Society Open Access
Davis, Joseph (Spring 2023)
Published
Abstract
This thesis explores various frameworks and strategies used in efforts to reduce HIVrelated stigma in Civil Society and Christian churches. This thesis also adopts a pragmatist perspective and employs a qualitative research strategy, focusing on a non-probability purposive sampling of publications and journals. The research questions addressed are: (1) What are the main/key conceptual frameworks that inform our understanding of HIV-related stigma in academia and more specifically in the context of public health? (2) What are the most salient impacts of stigma on those who are living with HIV? (3) What have been effective efforts to reduce stigma in the context of civil society and Christian churches, and to what extent do those efforts align with conceptual frameworks of stigma? The study reveals that while the HIV-related stigma reduction frameworks developed in the social sciences, Civil Society, and Christian churches are more similar than different, Christian churches have a unique approach to reducing HIV-related stigma in that they focus on the spiritual dimensions of the lives of those who are affected by HIV. Sociologists and Civil Society tend to address the physical and psychological impacts of this stigma but do not necessarily address the spiritual needs of the people whom they are serving. The study suggests that the “3x3 Model” documented in the World Council of Churches (WCC) Case Study could be an ideal way to address HIV stigma as it takes a holistic approach to the lives of those who are living with and affected by the virus. Furthermore, the study finds that the participating congregations of the WCC Case Study employed each element of the 3x3 Model to some capacity in their approach to creating programs and ministries that aim to reduce HIV-related stigma. The study concludes that building a culture in which those who are living with HIV feel cared for rather than judged is essential in reducing HIV-related stigma. With the 3x3 Model and the essential recommendations derived from the WCC Case Study, congregations who wish to begin and/or improve their efforts to reduce HIV-related stigma in their respective communities will have a widely applicable guide to assist them.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Statement of Purpose 1
1.2 Significance 1
CHAPTER 2: METHODS 2
2.1 Ontological and Epistemological Assumptions 2
2.2 Approach 2
2.3 Data Collection 3
2.4 Data Analysis 3
CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW 4
3.1 Sociological Definition of Stigma 6
3.2 Stigma of Disease 8
3.3 Stigma of Self 10
3.4 Societal Stigma 12
3.5 Defining Stigma in The Context of HIV 13
3.6 The Negative Impact of HIV-related Stigma 16
3.7 Existing Efforts to Reduce HIV Stigma in Civil Society 21
3.8 Existing Efforts to Reduce HIV Stigma in Christian Churches 24
3.9 Literature Review Summary 29
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS 33
4.1 Summary of The Six Themes Derived from the WCC Case Study 33
4.2 Theme 1: Diverse Congregations Yield Diverse Responses 33
4.3 Theme 2: Processes Congregations Went Through and Their Effects 35
4.4 Theme 3: Impact of HIV on Congregations’ Understanding of Faith and Scripture 36
4.5 Theme 4: The Impact of HIV on Congregations’ HIV Programs on People Living with HIV 37
4.6 Theme 5: Challenges and Surprises Working with Marginalized Communities 38
4.7 Theme 6: Recommendations 40
4.8 Figure 2: 3x3 Model 43
4.9 Five Recommendations Model 44
CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION 45
CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION 50
REFERENCES 52
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