A phenomenological study into the experience of their sexuality by males with spinal cord injury: research

Abstract

On reviewing the literature on spinal cord injury (SCI) and sexuality in males, there was found to be a plethora of research in physical domains. Sadly, the psychological aspect of sexuality for men who experience SCI has been largely neglected. For this reason a phenomenological study was conducted to understand the experience of sexuality in its totality for the male who experiences SCI. Four males with SCI were included in the study. Central themes that emerged from the transcribed interviews included the establishment of an existential baseline, diminished independence and perceptions of masculinity post-injury. Participants also divulged needs pertaining to their (potential) relationships. Lastly, religion and certain coping mechanisms were found to either facilitate or hinder sexuality post-trauma depending on their rigidity and effectiveness respectively.


Die studie van literatuur oor rugmurgbesering (RMB) en seksualiteit by mans, het 'n magdom navorsing oor die fisieke aspekte opgelewer. Ongelukkig is die sielkundige aspekte rondom seksualiteit by mans met RMB grootliks afgeskeep. Derhalwe is 'n fenomenologiese studie onderneem ten einde die man met RMB se ervaring van seksualiteit in sy geheel te ondersoek. Onderhoude is met vier mans wat RMB het gevoer. Sentrale temas wat uit die onderhoude voortvloei, sluit die vasstel van 'n eksistensi?le basislyn in, asook verminderde onafhanklikheid en veranderde beskouings oor manlikheid na die besering. Deelnemers het ook hulle behoeftes met betrekking tot hulle (potensi?le) verhoudings aangedui. Laastens is daar gevind dat godsdiens en sekere hanteringsmeganismes 'n positiewe of negatiewe impak kan h? op seksualiteit, afhangend van die rigiditeit en effektiwiteit daarvan.



Keywords: Spinal cord injury, Sexuality, Males, Phenomenology, Experience


(Health SA Gesondheid: interdisciplinary research journal: 2003 8(4): 3-11)