Views and Experiences of Sex, Sexuality and Relationships Following Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of the Qualitative Literature (original) (raw)
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Sexuality of People with Spinal Cord Injury: Knowledge, Difficulties and Adaptation
Expressing sexuality is an important part of life, whether the person has a spinal cord injury (SCI) or not. This study investigated the sexual activity before and after SCI, the difficulties, and adjustments made by these people in relation to their sexuality. This is a qualitative study conducted with 14 people with SCI through semi-structured interviews, which we analyzed in light of pertinent literature and organized into three themes: sexual activity before and after SCI; difficulties in performing sexual activities; and adjustments in sexual activity after SCI. We conclude that, although there may be many difficulties, with the partner’s support they can get sexual satisfaction and adapt to the new reality. Nonetheless, it is necessary and essential that the patient receive guidance about the possible changes and adaptive methods, and nurses can play a critical role in this process.
Spinal Cord, 2022
STUDY DESIGN: A qualitative, semi-structured interview design. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify, from the perspective of people living with a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), the primary psychosocial barriers and facilitators that impact on their sexual function and sexual satisfaction post-injury. SETTING: Community-dwelling sample of people with SCI in England, United Kingdom METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with twenty people with SCI (15 males; 5 females) were conducted using an 8-item interview schedule. Inductive thematic analysis was undertaken of verbatim transcripts coded using Braun and Clarke's (2021) six phases of thematic analysis. RESULTS: Six inductive themes were generated, collectively describing the psychosocial barriers and facilitators impacting on sexual function and satisfaction post-SCI: (1) Internalising societal views and stigmatisation; (2) Diminished sexual confidence; (3) Navigating communication; (4) Managing relationship dynamics; (5) Lack of sexual support provision; and (6) Intervention development recommendations. CONCLUSION: Sexual function and satisfaction are highly challenging areas of rehabilitation for males and females living with SCI. Increased efforts are needed to educate others in society to overcome the negative stereotypical attitudes obstructing acceptance of sex despite disability. Countering sexual stigmatisation for people with SCI would facilitate growth in sexual confidence. Techniques to enhance interpersonal sexual communication and involve the partner/spouse in regaining mutual sexual satisfaction are foundational. The current study highlighted key outpatient-based recommendations for intervention development, clarifying primary targets for future SCI-focused sexual therapeutic work.
"Don't Think Paralysis Takes Away Your Womanhood": Sexual Intimacy After Spinal Cord Injury
The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association
Sexuality and intimacy are important components of health and well-being. Issues surrounding sexuality and intimacy are equally important for men and women living with physical disabilities, including spinal cord injury (SCI). Yet, women's sexuality after SCI remains largely unexamined. This article presents the findings from an in-depth qualitative investigation of the sexual and reproductive health experiences of 20 women with SCI in or around Detroit, MI. Findings echo existing literature documenting the sexual consequences of life after SCI and suggest new areas of inquiry important for better addressing sexual concerns across the lifespan. Specifically, findings suggest a need to consider the variable effects of SCI on sexual intimacy in relation to a person's developmental trajectory, the appropriate timing of sexual education, the need to expand conceptualizations of sexual intimacy, and the ways SCI may affect sexuality in later life.
| (2020) Examining the psychological and emotional experience of sexuality for men after spinal cord injury, Cogent Psychology, 7:1, 1722355 To link to this article: https://doi. Abstract: Sexual rehabilitation for men after spinal cord injury (SCI) has focused on physical challenges and has neglected psychosocial factors. Utilizing a descriptive phenomenological approach, the lived psychological experience of sexuality was described for six men (age 24-49) with complete or incomplete SCI (C4-T12; <1 year to 29 years post-injury) who participated in one in-depth, standardized, open-ended interview (68-101 minutes). Participants described the emergence of a new perspective of sexuality placing less emphasis on any one physical act and more importance on emotional factors. Understanding the evolving meaning of sexuality for men after SCI is imperative for delivering effective sexual health information.
Sexuality, Identity and Women with Spinal Cord Injury
Sexuality and Disability, 2011
Sexuality is an integral component of every individual's identity. The literature offers limited information about the sexuality and sexual identity of women with spinal cord injury (SCI), beyond the physiological and neurological aspects. The qualitative study described in this paper aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of a small sample of adult women with SCI regarding their sexuality post-injury. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four women, which were audio-taped and then transcribed. Thematic analysis was adopted for analyzing the narrative data. Themes that were identified include: factors facilitating positive sexual adjustment, barriers to sexuality post-injury and lack of sexual education in the rehabilitation process. Women with SCI echoed the need to be recognized as sexual beings, despite disability. Health professionals must be willing to discuss issues of a sexual nature and need an understanding of how illness or disability may impact on sexuality, in order to adequately assist individuals with physical disabilities address sexual and intimacy issues.
Supporting sexual adjustment from the perspective of men living with spinal cord injury
Study design Descriptive phenomenological approach. Objectives This study explored the lived experience of sexuality for men after spinal cord injury (SCI) and described the current state of tools and resources available to assist with sexual adjustment from the perspective of men living with SCI. Setting Men living in the community in Ontario, Canada. Methods Six men (age 24-49 years) with complete or incomplete SCI (C4-T12; <1-29 years post injury) participated in one individual, in-depth, standardized, open-ended interview (68-101 min). Analysis was conducted using Giorgi's method, and involved within case analysis followed by cross-case analysis. Results All participants reported that resources available to support sexual adjustment after SCI were inadequate, and the majority of men felt their healthcare providers lacked knowledge regarding, and comfort discussing sexuality after SCI. Men reported sexuality was not a priority of the rehabilitation centers and felt that healthcare providers did not understand the importance of addressing sexuality. Existing resources were described as too clinical and not necessarily relevant given changes in sensation and mobility post injury. Participants provided recommendations for the effective delivery of relevant sexual education information. Conclusions To improve quality of life for men after SCI, suitable resources must be available to support sexual rehabilitation post injury. Future research should focus on developing strategies to facilitate discussions about sexuality between individuals with SCI and healthcare providers, and on developing resources that are effective and relevant for these men.
Spinal Cord Injured Women's Views of Sexuality: A Norwegian Survey
Rehabilitation Nursing, 2003
The purpose of this study was to learn the views of women with spinal cord injuries (SCI) about their sexual life 1 or more years after the trauma. Based on a descriptive survey design, data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire completed by 48 women. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. The results show that most of the respondents had been injured I0 or more years. More than 50% were sexually active before the trauma. Fifty percent of the respondents reported that their views on sexuality had not changed as a result of the trauma. Twenty-one percent reported that sexuality was less important to them after the trauma. There is a need for studies of possible nursing interventions that will influence SCI women to recognize both their need for; and their right to, a satisfactory sexual life.
Sexual Matters of Couples with Spinal Cord Injury Attending a Sexual Health Clinic in Tehran, Iran
Background: Couples experiencing spinal cord injury (SCI) usually deal with altered sexual lives. Evaluation of the sexual satisfaction, intimacy, and partnership as well as sexual functioning of the couples with one SCI-affected partner is necessary. Methods: The current cross sectional study was conducted on 28 couples (56 individuals) attending a sexual health clinic at the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center (BASIR) affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Descriptive statistics were employed and data were expressed as frequencies. The chi-square test, the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients, and the Student t-test were employed to determine the differences between male and female subjects with SCI as well as their partners. To investigate marital-related outcomes, ENRICH marital satisfaction scale, marital adjustment scale, and the Bagarozzi intimacy questionnaire were used. In addition, female sexual function index (FSFI) and international index erectile function (IIEF), as well as sexual knowledge and attitude, sexual expression (SE), and the Larson sexual satisfaction questionnaires were employed to evaluate sexual-performance-related outcomes.