Sex-Positive Sexuality Post-Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Metasynthesis
Ireland, Blaze, Pebdani, Roxanna Nasseri, Heck, Marita, Mudholkar, Asmita, and Verdonck, Michèle (2024) Sex-Positive Sexuality Post-Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Metasynthesis. Rehabilitation Psychology, 70 (2). pp. 182-193.
|
PDF (Published Version)
- Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (859kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Purpose/Objective: Many qualitative studies have focused on sex and spinal cord injury (SCI), often taking a deficit lens to interpretation and reporting. However, it is important to understand what can facilitate positive sexuality for people with SCI; therefore this study examines facilitators of sexuality for people with SCI. Research Method/Design: A systematic review and metasynthesis of 38 qualitative papers (published before February 2024) on sexuality for people with SCI was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Thematic synthesis was conducted in three stages: line-by-line coding; the identification of common descriptive themes across papers; and the generation of novel analytical themes. Results: Thirty-eight eligible papers were analyzed. Thematic synthesis resulted in four common descriptive themes that were linked to positive sexuality: (a) being sexually active; (b) trying new and other ways of sexual expression; (c) having a positive relationship with a partner; and (d) peer support. These descriptive themeswere interrelated and incorporated in two in-depth analytical themes: (a) redefining sexuality and (b) establishing a sexual identity. Conclusions/Implications: This study highlights facilitators to sexuality post-SCI. In order to maintain a sex-positive approach to sexuality rehabilitation for people with SCI, sexuality facilitators should remain at the forefront of sexual rehabilitation.
| Item ID: | 87240 |
|---|---|
| Item Type: | Article (Research - C1) |
| ISSN: | 1939-1544 |
| Keywords: | metasynthesis, sex-positive, sexual function, sexuality, spinal cord injury |
| Copyright Information: | This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0). This license permits copying and redistributing the work in any medium or format, as well as adapting the material for any purpose, even commercially. |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Nov 2025 00:50 |
| FoR Codes: | 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science > 420109 Rehabilitation @ 70% 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520304 Health psychology @ 30% |
| SEO Codes: | 28 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 2801 Expanding knowledge > 280112 Expanding knowledge in the health sciences @ 100% |
| More Statistics |
Actions (Repository Staff Only)
 |
Item Control Page |