Date Presented 3/31/2017
The purpose of this research is to identify the experiences of intimate partners of individuals with SCI and to identify resource needs. Interviews were completed and themes identified. The information gained can be used to inform future development of resources for this population.
Primary Author and Speaker: Kate Eglseder
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe the lived experiences of intimate partners of individuals with spinal cord injury related to sexuality and to identify education and resource needs related to sexuality to inform future practice.
RATIONALE: The impact of spinal cord injury results in both physical and emotional changes that impact all areas of occupation. Although much time and attention have been given to those suffering the injury, little has been done to examine the impact of these changes on the individual’s partner. It is important for health care providers to discover and understand the complex roles of partners of individuals with spinal cord injury in order to assist in creating success with sexual activity.
DESIGN: For this study, a qualitative collective case study design was used. The collective case study was chosen in order to gain an illustration of the issue from multiple perspectives. Additionally, the multiple case design allows for more powerful analytic conclusions and less skepticism regarding the uniqueness of the case than does a single case design. Four study participants were selected to participate in this study with stratification of age. All participants were female intimate partners of an individual with spinal cord injury.
METHOD: Each participant participated in one 60- to 90-min semistructured interview related to the impact of their partner’s injury on the experience of sexual activity. The interviews were audio recorded for transcription. The interviews concluded with a summary of key discussion points as a method of member checking to increase validity. After analysis, follow-up phone calls were made to participants in order to validate the researcher’s findings. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and within-case followed by cross-case analysis was performed. For the purpose of this study, collaborative coding was used. Descriptive analysis was used for the first cycle of coding, followed by pattern coding to identify emergent themes.
RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the analysis. These themes included (1) loss of intimacy having a negative impact on the sexual experience, (2) self-perceived deviance in sexual activity with the injured partner, and (3) education and resource needs related to sexuality not being met.
CONCLUSION: The onset of spinal cord injury can have a devastating impact on the intimate relationship of partnered individuals. While research has historically addressed the needs of the injured individual, little has been done to address the needs of the intimate partner. This research demonstrates the importance of addressing the issue of sexuality with both individuals involved in order to enhance the resumption of the occupation of sexual activity.
IMPACT STATEMENT: This research contributes to the existing body of literature by demonstrating that the occupation of coupled sexual activity can be impacted not only by factors influencing the injured partner but also by factors that influence their partners. This study also demonstrates the value of further examining the impact that the onset of SCI has on intimate partners, which has not been sufficiently evaluated in previous literature.
