Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Journal of Pastoral Theology
Abstract
This article briefly reflects on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the African American community. The article suggests an alternative paradigm that views the high-risk behaviors that contribute to the spread of the virus as a reaction to ‘trauma of the heart’ as opposed to viewing the epidemic solely in terms of a lack of HIV and sexually transmitted disease awareness. It further suggests a pastoral intervention of expanding the paradigm of family beyond the classical nuclear construct to family as a system of individuals committed to embracing and ‘adopting’ individuals who have experienced trauma of the heart. This augmented understanding of family might provide an alternative to the high-risk behaviors that individuals may engage in during the search for affirmation, which all too often may contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
First Page
46
Last Page
55
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1179/1064986715Z.0000000006
Publication Date
5-1-2015
Recommended Citation
Danjuma, Gibson, "Trauma of the Heart: Augmenting the Family Paradigm to Stem the Spread of HIV/AIDS and to Facilitate Healing and Recovery in the Wake of HIV/AIDS" (2015). CTS Faculty Publications and Creative Activity. 36.
https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/seminary_facultypubs/36