TY - JOUR
T1 - The Role of Structure Versus Individual Agency in Churches' Responses to HIV/AIDS
T2 - A Case Study of Baltimore City Churches
AU - Cunningham, Shayna D.
AU - Kerrigan, Deanna L.
AU - McNeely, Clea A.
AU - Ellen, Jonathan M.
PY - 2011/6/1
Y1 - 2011/6/1
N2 - This paper examines the activities of churches in Baltimore, Maryland, concerning the issues of sexuality, whether they potentially stigmatize persons with or at risk for HIV/AIDS, and to what extent individual agency versus institutional forces influence churches in this regard. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 leaders from 16 churches and analyzed using a grounded theory methodology. Although many churches were involved in HIV/AIDS-related activities, the content of such initiatives was sometimes limited due to organizational constraints. Church leaders varied, however, in the extent to which they responded in accordance with or resisted these constraints, highlighting the importance of individual agency influencing churches' responses to HIV/AIDS.
AB - This paper examines the activities of churches in Baltimore, Maryland, concerning the issues of sexuality, whether they potentially stigmatize persons with or at risk for HIV/AIDS, and to what extent individual agency versus institutional forces influence churches in this regard. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 leaders from 16 churches and analyzed using a grounded theory methodology. Although many churches were involved in HIV/AIDS-related activities, the content of such initiatives was sometimes limited due to organizational constraints. Church leaders varied, however, in the extent to which they responded in accordance with or resisted these constraints, highlighting the importance of individual agency influencing churches' responses to HIV/AIDS.
KW - Faith-based
KW - HIV/AIDS
KW - Stigma
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U2 - 10.1007/s10943-009-9281-7
DO - 10.1007/s10943-009-9281-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 19714469
AN - SCOPUS:79955991045
VL - 50
SP - 407
EP - 421
JO - Journal of Religion and Health
JF - Journal of Religion and Health
SN - 0022-4197
IS - 2
ER -