Abstract
The purpose of this study was to construct model of sexual adjustment in people with spinal cord injury and to
determine factors that relate to sexual adjustment using methodological triangulation.
A total of 134 persons who were registered members of spinal cord injury organization and admitted rehabilitation
unit in the hospital were included in the study. Participants answered questionnaire concerning importance of life
events, sexual concern, sexual adjustment. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured indepth interviews
from 10 individuals with spinal cord injury who were previously included in the quantitative study. Constant
compatative method was used to analyze the data.
The results were as follows:
1) With respect to eleven other areas of life, sex life ranked the sixth and economic
status ranked the highest in terms of importance. However social life ranked the lowest among the
11areas.
2) Among seven topics related to sexuality were methods and techniques to achieve sexual satisfaction, and
helping a partner cope emotionally with limitation on sexual dysfunction was the second greastest.
3) The mean score for sexual adjustment was 19.47 which can be considered.
4) A process on how individuals with spinal cord injury adjust to their changed sexual life immerged from
the qualitative data. It includs 4 stages: 'stage of loss' 'stage of endeavoring' 'stage of effort' and 'stage
of adjustment'. Categories showing context for the action/interaction strategies were 'steadiness' and
'rediscovery as a sexual being'. There were three factors which may stimulate the adjustment process
while the others may interrupt it. Those factors included personal matters, family matters and social
matters. The individuals may follow each stage step by step but may go back to the previous step
depending on the outcomes of their adjustment.
5) There were three factors which may stimulate the adjustment process while the others may interrupt it.
Those factors included personal matters, family matters and social matters.