“HIV Is a Gift”: Posttraumatic Growth in Women With HIV

Given the universally high rates of trauma in women living with HIV and the positive health benefits associated with posttraumatic growth, recognizing how posttraumatic growth is expressed in words by women with HIV has important application to clinicians working with this population. This study examined qualitative narratives from a women’s HIV support group to look for spontaneous statements and comments that corresponded to the five domains of posttraumatic growth identified by Tedeschi and Calhoun. Participants in this study described how their lives had been transformed, consistent with posttraumatic growth, into what was described as a “gift.” Implications for clinical practice are offered

The benefits of women-only HIV support groups

Women living with HIV often feel isolated. One significant avenue for HIV-positive women to receive the support, information, and affiliation they need is through gender-specific HIV support groups, but research is lacking about how support groups for HIV-positive women can be helpful. This exploratory study examined HIV-positive women\u27s perceptions about their experiences in women-only HIV support groups. Seventy-one women attending nine women-only HIV support groups in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina were surveyed. Benefits from attendance included: (a) increase in medication compliance, (b) decreased risk behavior for re-exposure to HIV, (c) reduced feelings of shame, and (d) a network of friends to socialize with. Results indicate that even if women-only HIV support groups do not stress behavior or lifestyle changes, these are often by-products of support group attendance. © 2008 by The Haworth Press. All rights reserved

A Model for Teaching Group Work Through Service-Learning in a Baccalaureate Program

Generalist practice social workers need to master group leadership and facilitation skills, and the best way to achieve this goal is through actual practice. An innovative teaching approach used to engage undergraduate social work majors in developing group facilitation skills is a “hands-on” service-learning experience leading social skills groups with middle school children. Students have the opportunity for a meaningful educational experience while working with children in a school setting. A four-session social skills curriculum is provided

A photovoice empowerment intervention for women living with HIV

Twenty-three women living with HIV participated in a photovoice-based group research study aimed at increasing their self-esteem, self-efficacy and decreasing depression. The intervention method, photovoice, was specifically chosen to put the power and authority of representing their experiences in the control of the participants. Taking action through sharing their photographs and stories with the public via community exhibits is part of the empowerment process where participants combine a sense of personal control with the ability to actively influence their environment and affect the behavior of others. There was a promising trend on the outcome measures from baseline to posttest moving in the direction expected

Differences in housing, health, and well-being among HIV-Positive women living in poverty

The social context of living in poverty has a direct and indirect impact on a woman\u27s health and well-being. This cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between housing and adherence to treatment, emotional wellness, environmental safety, physical health status, and risk behaviors among HIV-positive women receiving services from an AIDS service organization in the mid-South. Significant differences were found between stably housed and unstably housed women on the dependent outcome variables. Results suggest that housing services for HIV-positive women may be an effective way to increase their health and well-being as well as prevent transmission to others

Do Social Workers Apply “Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself” to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transpersons in the South?

Across the United States there has been a spate of legislative bills and initiatives that blatantly stigmatize and discriminate against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This study was a cross-sectional, exploratory survey designed to measure the attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors of Tennessee social workers and future social workers toward the LGBT population and toward proposed discriminatory legislation. A 3-way factorial ANOVA investigated the effects of political affiliation, religious affiliation, and social contact on the dependent measures. Significant main effects were found. Self-reported political affiliation was found to be the most important factor predicting LGBT acceptance and LGBT respect among this sample

Women living with HIV tell their stories with photovoice

23 women shared stories of the realities of living with HIV through photographic documentation and critical dialogue with peers about the challenges they face, how they have overcome these challenges and what hopes they have for their future. Qualitative analysis of group session transcripts revealed seven major themes; medication adherence, substance abuse, criminal history, relationships with children, ending unhealthy relationships, reframing and helping others. Participants made use of their HIV diagnosis to find meaning in life and focus on the actions that they can take to better themselves, contributing to each one’s growth and development. Understanding what women view as important aspects of their experience living with HIV may provide valuable information for developing more efficacious interventions and policies for this population. Implications for social work practice include offering women with HIV mental health and substance use treatment, providing gender-specific peer support services, and eliminating the criminalization of HIV

Policies Discriminatory of the LGBT Community: Do Social Workers Endorse Respect for the NASW Code of Ethics?

There has been a dramatic increase in anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) state-level legislative initiatives during the past several years. Public policy bullying and discrimination toward LGBT adults and youths by state elected representatives is a concern to all who recognize the damaging effects of such bigotry. This study is a cross-sectional, exploratory descriptive survey designed to measure the degree of acceptance of the LGBT community and the degree to which respondents endorse respect of social work ethical standards in practice with the LGBT community among 235 social workers and future social workers in the state of Tennessee. Findings indicate that respondents have more positive than negative attitudes toward the LGBT population, yet a number still harbor opinions that are harmful to the LGBT community and impede their ability for affirmative, ethical practice at the individual or policy level. To address this need, a cultural competence and social justice approach is elaborated