Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / There is a psychosexual health crisis in the African American community, with disproportionate rates of HIV/AIDS infections and poorer medical treatment outcomes for Black men and women (Fullilove, 2006; CDC, 201 0). In contrast to the homophobic responses of most Black Churches, some Black Churches are offering an affirmative ministry for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) individuals. This dissertation examines how these ministries developed and what strategies they employ in response to the HIV/AIDS health crisis. Building on Stigmatization theory, Queer theory, and previous research on Black Churches, I construct a conceptual framework for interpreting this phenomenon. Using the Heuristic methodology, I explore the historical, theological, and practical dimensions of four LGBT -affirming African American ministries. During a period of four to six weeks with each church, I conducted two narrative mterviews with the pastors, 15 to 20 hours of observation of ministry activities, and a review of church documents regarding relationships with the LGBT community. Using narrative analysis and grounded theory, I analyzed the interviews, documents and observational field notes for evidence of the LGBT affirmative ministry. I constructed holistic profiles of each church and a composite profile of the four. All four pastors credited formal theological education and personal experiences with the LGBT community as sources of their theologies. Two of the pastors self-identified as members of the LGBT community; LGBT inclusion was the central focus of their ministries. The other two pastors integrated LGBT inclusion into a broad based social justice ministry that focused on multiple oppressions, including racism and sexism. All four pastors seek to avoid the psychological, spiritual, and physical harm that homophobic Black churches inflict on LGBT Black folk, and seek thereby to discourage behaviors that contribute to the proliferation of HIV/AIDS. Each pastor offered LGBT affirmative strategies for decreasing LGBT stigmatization and HIV infections in the Black community. / 2031-01-01

Text in Afrikaans / The aim of this study was to determine the effect of labeling on a person's being from an educational-psychological perspective. The focus was therefore placed mainly on the following: § Labeling as a phenomenon, with specific reference to what labeling is and its effect on a person's being. § The use of the Edu-Psychological Relation Theory as a theoretical basis for determining the effect of labeling on a person's being. § The compilation of a diagnostic questionnaire within the framework of the Edu-Psychological Relation Theory that was used in the empirical study. It was found that the consequences of labeling are generally permanent and irreversible, and that they result in isolation of the individual. A diagnostic questionnaire was operationalised in terms of the Edu-Psychological Relation Theory, and was used to determine the effect of labeling. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance)

The purpose of this study is to explore professional drug addiction care workers’ attitudes towards harm reduction interventions. The data collection was conducted through digital survey mailed to mangers and staff. In total 73 individuals choose to answer the survey. The biopsychosocial perspective and stigmatization theory were used to theoretically reflect on the results. Most respondents reported positive attitudes towards maintenance treatment, needle exchange programs and overdose prevention with naloxone. The result also shows that the majority of respondents’ have a negative attitude towards injection rooms and decriminalization of drugs for personal use. Moreover, staff with higher education reported more positive attitudes towards maintenance treatment, needle exchange, injection rooms and decriminalization of drugs for personal use. In conclusion, it is important to recognize and spread new developments and evidence-based research regarding harm reduction and decriminalization of narcotics drugs. Based on the respondents’ negative attitudes towards implement injection rooms and decriminalize drugs for personal use, but also the improvement of staffs’ attitudes that present study found it is supposed that neglecting prohibition and showing zero tolerance towards personal use will probably disappear in the future even in Sweden.

Text in Afrikaans / The aim of this study was to determine the effect of labeling on a person's being from an educational-psychological perspective. The focus was therefore placed mainly on the following: § Labeling as a phenomenon, with specific reference to what labeling is and its effect on a person's being. § The use of the Edu-Psychological Relation Theory as a theoretical basis for determining the effect of labeling on a person's being. § The compilation of a diagnostic questionnaire within the framework of the Edu-Psychological Relation Theory that was used in the empirical study. It was found that the consequences of labeling are generally permanent and irreversible, and that they result in isolation of the individual. A diagnostic questionnaire was operationalised in terms of the Edu-Psychological Relation Theory, and was used to determine the effect of labeling. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance)