Replacing Community: Establishing Linkages for Women Living with HIV/AIDS–A Group Work Approach

ABSTRACT

This paper focuses on the rationale and the implementation of a group work approach in working with HIV positive mothers. As the course of HIV/AIDS is changing, a new perspective towards the future is emerging. A group was shown to be an effective modality for combatting a sense of isolation and for building a renewed sense of community. Establishing surrogate family ties was also found to be an outgrowth of the group process. Themes explored included disclosure, transmission, parenting dilemmas and support for the multiple health and medication issues related to being HIV positive women and mothers.