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Experiences of intimacy in acute spinal cord rehabilitation

Year:
2010
Duration:
24 months
Approved budget:
$18,400.00
Researchers:
Ms Claire Freeman
Health issue:
Injury (intentional and unintentional)
Proposal type:
Masters Disability Research Placement Scholarship
Lay summary
The research aims to understand the impact of spinal cord injury (SCI), and post-injury hospital rehabilitation, on the experience of intimacy and maintenance of relationships. In this qualitative (phenomenological) study, five pairs of people with SCI and their key support person (total, n=10) will be recruited. The audio-recorded interviews will explore what aspects of intimacy are important to the person with SCI and their significant other (whether spouse/partner or family member), and their experiences of the newly implemented Burwood Spinal Unit Transitions Programme. The key goals of this programme are to achieve ""privacy"" for people with SCI within the rehabilitation environment and support maintenance of relationships. Each interview transcript will be analysed for themes which will be compared between transcripts to develop over-arching themes that incorporate both common and divergent experiences of participants.