“He’s my legs, I’m his rock”: experiences of adaptation and change in couple relationships following spinal cord injury

Mair, Luned and Moses, Jennifer ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1929-928X 2025. “He’s my legs, I’m his rock”: experiences of adaptation and change in couple relationships following spinal cord injury. Disability and Rehabilitation 10.1080/09638288.2025.2472989

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Abstract

Purpose: Experiencing spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause several challenges and changes within romantic relationships immediately after injury and in the long-term. However, there is a lack of research concerning the formation, maintenance and adjustment of couple relationships post-SCI. This study uses qualitative methods to explore how SCI may impact on couple relationships. Methods: Four females and five males with SCI participated in a semi-structured interview. Some were with their current partner at the time of injury; others established their relationship following SCI. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Analysis produced themes showing that communication, negotiating and maintaining clearly defined roles, mutual support and changing definitions of intimacy were important processes for adjustment and maintenance of romantic relationships following SCI. Discussion: The study’s results provide further insight into factors that are important for couples when maintaining and adjusting their relationship post-SCI. They have implications for healthcare providers, charities and other agencies supporting couples following SCI and for dyads learning to negotiate intimacy and relational challenges post-injury.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Psychology
Additional Information:	License information from Publisher: LICENSE 1: URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/, Start Date: 2025-03-06
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
ISSN:	0963-8288
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	18 March 2025
Date of Acceptance:	24 February 2025
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2025 12:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/176953

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