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Unwelcoming: The Church Experiences of HIV-Infected Adolescents and Emerging Adults

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Abstract

Acceptance among family, friends, and within the community is a critical developmental milestone during adolescence. Having a diagnosis of HIV may hinder or impede one’s ability to develop socially. The purpose of our original study was to describe the role spirituality may play in HIV-infected adolescents and emerging adults. We interviewed 21 Christian-identified males using constructivist grounded theory methodology. The theory of the church not embracing HIV-infected youth was generated. The theme “unwelcoming” describes young people’s attempts to connect with the church. Embracing adolescents and emerging adults in church may offer support and enhance their ability to cope with HIV.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the participants and the staff at both clinics that participated in this research. This research was supported by the Sigma Theta Tau International Dr. Sandra Wise Founder’s Scholarship, the University of California San Francisco Alumni Century Club Fund and the University of California San Francisco Graduate Research Award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Point Loma Nazarene University School of Nursing, 3900 Lomaland Dr., San Diego, CA, 92106, USA

    Sharon T. Smith

  2. University of California San Francisco School of Nursing, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Carol Dawson-Rose

  3. Department of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, University of California San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, CA, USA

    Jennifer Blanchard

  4. To Help Everyone Clinic, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Derrick Butler

Authors
  1. Sharon T. Smith
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  2. Carol Dawson-Rose
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  3. Jennifer Blanchard
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  4. Derrick Butler
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Correspondence to Sharon T. Smith.

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Smith, S.T., Dawson-Rose, C., Blanchard, J. et al. Unwelcoming: The Church Experiences of HIV-Infected Adolescents and Emerging Adults. J Relig Health 58, 1429–1443 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00828-4

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