Media portrayal of spinal cord injury and its impact on lived experiences: a phenomological study

Background. Although several studies have been conducted on the lived experiences of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) in high income countries, there is no published data on such experiences in Ghana. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of persons with SCI in the Tamale Metropolis of the Northern Region of Ghana. Material and Methods. A qualitative descriptive design involving thirteen participants was conducted at the Tamale Metropolis-Ghana. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit participants, using the Neurosurgical Unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital as an outlet for recruitment of the sample. Data was gathered mainly through face-to-face in-depth interviews. The data was analyzed concurrently with data collection, using thematic content analysis. Ethical approval was obtained for the study from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the research unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital. Results. The three main themes that emerged from the data during analysis were “physical effects,” “psychological effects,” and “social issues.” Conclusion. The findings from the study suggest that SCI is a life threatening condition and that persons with SCI grapple with a myriad of physical symptoms that range from chronic pain and paralysis of lower and/or upper limbs, to bladder and bowel incontinence. These physical symptoms have significant psychological and social effects on the functioning of the affected persons.

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The Influence of Social Support on the Lived Experiences of Spinal Cord Injured Sportsmen

The Sport Psychologist ◽

10.1123/tsp.17.2.135 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 135-156 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Tim Rees ◽

Brett Smith ◽

Andrew C. Sparkes

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Lived Experiences ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Life History Data ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Tangible Support ◽

The Impact ◽

Spinal Cord Injured

This study draws upon life history data to investigate the influence of social support on the lives of 6 men who had acquired a spinal cord injury and become disabled through playing sport. Interviews were analyzed utilizing categorical-content analysis (Lieblich, Tuval-Mashiach, & Zilber, 1998). The participants experienced emotional, esteem, informational, and tangible support (Rees & Hardy, 2000) from various sources. Alongside the positive influence of social support, examples are shown of inappropriate or negatively-experienced support and where participants considered sport to be lacking. The spinal cord injured person is encouraged to be proactive in resourcing social support, but providers might also be taught to recognize the impact, either positively or negatively, that their giving support can have.

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Sexuality and Spinal Cord Injury: The Lived Experiences of Intimate Partners

OTJR Occupation Participation and Health ◽

10.1177/1539449217701394 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 125-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kate Eglseder ◽

Barbara Demchick

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Sexual Activity ◽

Lived Experiences ◽

Complex Phenomenon ◽

Intimate Partners ◽

Sexual Activities ◽

Effective Interventions ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Semistructured Interviews

Although sexuality is an integral aspect of the human experience, individuals who sustain a spinal cord injury (SCI) often receive inadequate education to facilitate successful participation in sexual activities. Intimate partners are often not included in discussions related to sexuality during the rehabilitative process. The purpose of this study was to identify the lived experiences of intimate partners of individuals with SCI related to sexuality. Four intimate partners were selected to participate in semistructured interviews related to their lived experiences of sexuality. Participants identified aspects of SCI, extreme discomfort due to self-perceived sexual norms, and a lack of education as contributors to unsuccessful participation in sexual activity. Coupled sexual activity is a complex phenomenon which includes factors that influence both the injured individuals as well as their intimate partners. To provide effective interventions in addressing sexuality, practitioners should consider the entire issue, the couple.

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Bourdieu, Hysteresis, and Shame

Men and Masculinities ◽

10.1177/1097184x16652658 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 35-55 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Timothy Barrett

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Social Theory ◽

Lived Experiences ◽

Life Histories ◽

Source Material ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Disabled People ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Spinal Cord Injured

This article offers a consideration of the gendered emotion of “shame” within the context of the lived experiences of spinal cord injured men, using “found life histories” as a source material. Drawing upon the Bourdieusian concept of “hysteresis,” I theorize the emergence of a gendered disjuncture between incorporated expectations, values and assumptions, and the substantive enactments of masculinity socially available in the aftermath of spinal cord injury. Shame was often experienced within contexts characterized by “dangerous” social proximity to pathologized “others” (namely, disabled people and children) against which hegemonic masculinity is defined. I conclude the article by highlighting the particular limitations that Bourdieusian social theory can be used to identify in relation to individualized therapeutic interventions designed to encourage spinal cord injured men to adopt new understandings of masculinity.

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