Women's Experience of Sexuality After Spinal Cord Injury
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Women's Experience of Sexuality After Spinal Cord Injury
IRAS ID
205377
Contact name
Maureen Coggrave
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Buckinghamshire New University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 30 days
Research summary
This cross sectional phenomenological qualitative study aims to explore women’s experiences of sexuality following a spinal cord or cauda equina injury. Current literature around sexuality following spinal cord injury tends to be very male focused, with little exploration of women’s needs. No research studies, only literature reviews, on women’s sexuality following spinal cord injury have emerged from the United Kingdom (UK). Studies from other nationalities, although insightful, may not reflect the experiences and feelings of women in the UK. The primary objective of the study is to understand women’s experience of sexuality after spinal cord injury with the aim of improving the advice and support offered to women around sexual issues by healthcare practitioners and to identify any gaps in understanding or service provision.
The study will interview up to 30 women with a range of levels and degrees of spinal cord injury or cauda equina syndrome who are, or have recently been, sexually active, since their injury. Women will be recruited, by postal invitation, to the study through three spinal centres in the UK (National Spinal Injuries Centre, London Spinal Cord Injury Centre and Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries). One off interviews will be transcribed, uploaded into NVivo 10 , and analysed for concepts and themes.
It is hoped that this research will be used to improve and further develop clinical services for women with spinal cord injury, by identifying their needs at different stages of rehabilitation and in out-patient services. The outcomes from this study will also be used to inform and underpin future research into improving women’s sexual rehabilitation outcomes, ensuring that the issues identified by women with SCI themselves are addressed.
The study is being funded through a Stoke Mandeville – Masson Research Award, granted through the Stoke Mandeville Research Foundation and is being monitored by Buckinghamshire New University.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1075
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion