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Sexual rehabilitation support experiences of Australian adults living with a spinal cord injury777.33 kB
Published Version (Advanced Access)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Sexual rehabilitation support experiences of Australian adults living with a spinal cord injury
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Vol.49(2), pp.356-365
2026
PMID: 40323264
Abstract
Objective
Sexuality constitutes a fundamental component of wellbeing, which can be profoundly compromised by spinal cord injury. Yet, sexual quality of life associated with rehabilitation remains inadequately addressed.
Design
Using a theory-driven, qualitative methodology and applying Material, Discursive, Intrapsychic Theory (encompassing multiple dimensions of sexuality), this study explored the sexual quality of life support experiences of nine Australian adults with spinal cord injury (SCI); male (n=8) and female (n=1) with varying levels of SCI using online interviews.
Results
Participants’ responses reflected previous research on sexuality in SCI, noting an emphasis on physical aspects (e.g. erection and ejaculation ability) to the neglect of the psychological and interpersonal. The three core components of Material, Discursive, Intrapsychic Theory were mapped onto themes from the data, demonstrating that aside from the physical impact of SCI, one’s identity and relational connection to others, in addition to sociocultural discourse related to disability stigma, collectively impacted sexual wellbeing.
Conclusions
Practical sexual rehabilitation support that provides individualized assistance to build emotional connection, develop skills and offer personalized recommendations for equipment is fundamental to improving sexual wellbeing after a SCI.
Lay Summary
: This study collected information from people with a spinal cord injury to better understand their perceptions of sexual quality of life guided by a theoretical framework. Following analysis of collected information, prominent themes encompassed sexual functioning, loss of autonomy, disability stigma and shame, and partner openness and ability.
Details
- Title
- Sexual rehabilitation support experiences of Australian adults living with a spinal cord injury
- Authors
- Andrew Allen (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - PsychologyMarita Heck - Griffith UniversityConnor Doig - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of HealthTimothy Cudmore - Cudmore Consulting and Problem Solving (Australia)Katrina Lawrence - The University of SydneyJonathan Mason - Cairnmillar Institute
- Publication details
- The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Vol.49(2), pp.356-365
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1080/10790268.2025.2496567
- ISSN
- 1079-0268; 2045-7723
- PMID
- 40323264
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Creative Industries - Legacy; School of Health - Psychology; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991125599702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Clinical Neurology
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