Effat Merghati-Khoei1,2, Raziyeh Maasoumi3, Fatemeh Zarei4, Leila Laleh1, Yousofreza Yousofnia Pasha5, Jeffrey E Korte6, Zahra Khazaeipour1. 1. Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Institution for Risk Behaviors Reduction, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 3. Department of Reproductive Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran. 5. Department of Urology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. 6. Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
Abstract
Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering experience. There is little information about the perspectives of people with SCI toward marriage. Purpose: To explore the understandings of Iranian adults with SCI about marriage. Methods: In this qualitative inquiry, using a semi-structured interview guide, we collected data from 53 single adults with SCI (41 men and 12 women) who were referred to the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. Barun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach was applied for data analysis. Results: "Marriage" was thematized in outer and inner scenarios. The outer scenario was explored in terms of physical disability identified as a seminal determinant in successful marriage. "Attractiveness," "able body for breadwinning," "sexually active," and "reproduction" were dominant concepts extracted from the participants' narratives. The participants' inner scenarios revealed that marriage would be welcomed if a potential partner accepted them as a "whole person" regardless of their SCI condition. Conclusion: The findings suggest that adults with SCI do not ignore or reject marriage, however it was not their life priority due to major concerns that they had internalized. Considering the quality of care, people with SCI must be reassured about their potential to get married. SCI-based sexuality education and premarital counseling support the patients in their postmarital lives. Our findings will provide decision makers and health providers with significant insight for utilizing culturally appropriate services for people with SCI.
Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering experience. There is little information about the perspectives of people with SCI toward marriage. Purpose: To explore the understandings of Iranian adults with SCI about marriage. Methods: In this qualitative inquiry, using a semi-structured interview guide, we collected data from 53 single adults with SCI (41 men and 12 women) who were referred to the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. Barun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach was applied for data analysis. Results: "Marriage" was thematized in outer and inner scenarios. The outer scenario was explored in terms of physical disability identified as a seminal determinant in successful marriage. "Attractiveness," "able body for breadwinning," "sexually active," and "reproduction" were dominant concepts extracted from the participants' narratives. The participants' inner scenarios revealed that marriage would be welcomed if a potential partner accepted them as a "whole person" regardless of their SCI condition. Conclusion: The findings suggest that adults with SCI do not ignore or reject marriage, however it was not their life priority due to major concerns that they had internalized. Considering the quality of care, people with SCI must be reassured about their potential to get married. SCI-based sexuality education and premarital counseling support the patients in their postmarital lives. Our findings will provide decision makers and health providers with significant insight for utilizing culturally appropriate services for people with SCI.
Authors: M E Ferreiro-Velasco; A Barca-Buyo; S Salvador de la Barrera; A Montoto-Marqués; X Miguéns Vázquez; A Rodríguez-Sotillo Journal: Spinal Cord Date: 2005-01 Impact factor: 2.772
Authors: Karim El-Marbouhe-El-Faqyr; María Del Mar Jiménez-Lasserrotte; Isabel María Fernández-Medina; Cayetano Fernández-Sola; José Manuel Hernández-Padilla; Laura Helena Antequera-Raynal Journal: Healthcare (Basel) Date: 2021-12-09