Abstract

This exploratory, conceptual study examines the privileging and marginalization of different forms of knowledge, specifically bodily and spiritual knowing, through secondary analysis of focus group transcripts involving HIV-positive mothers. Literature from social work and surrounding disciplines is reviewed to make the argument that social work privileges some forms of knowing and marginalizes others, two of these being spiritual and bodily knowing. Symbolic interactionism and feminist standpoint theory guide research conceptualization and the methodological process. The study provides conceptualizations of bodily and spiritual knowing which build on knowledge derived from clients, exploration of the ways in which marginalized ways of knowing are consistent with other forms of social marginalization, and discussion of the relevance of epistemological models to social work research, education and practice. ;Client data in the study are derived from secondary qualitative analysis of transcripts from six focus groups of HIV-positive mothers, conducted in 1996. The research explores themes of spiritual and bodily knowing, the association between marginalized ways of knowing and social oppression, and the relevance of epistemological values to social work services and practice relationships. Qualitative methodological strategies are employed to: assess the extent to which these ways of knowing are present in discourse among HIV-positive mothers, a group likely to receive social work services, describe the articulation of spiritual and bodily knowing by these women, and, identify themes associated with bodily and spiritual forms of knowledge. Seven themes involving bodily knowing and eight themes reflecting spiritual knowing are identified in analysis of 56 narratives contained in the transcripts. The prevalence of these themes, and the various forms of knowing contained in each narrative, are calculated using a computer-assisted frequency analysis. Themes of addiction and recovery, pregnancy and mothering, suicidality, mind-body dynamics, belief in God, and prayer are most often described by women in the focus groups. ;Implications of the findings for social work practice, research, and education are explored, with an emphasis on the relationship between marginalized epistemologies and social marginalization