Experiential outcomes of the SCI support provider role

Abstract

This article presents the qualitative results of a 2-year mixed methodology study (quantitative and qualitative) examining the personal impact of being a support provider (SP) to a person living in the community with a spinal cord injury (SCI). A subsample of 46 out of the original 100 SPs from the quantitative phase participated in qualitative focus groups to further explore the personal impact of being an SP. The findings indicate that supporting a person with an SCI brings about a significant life change that requires ongoing adjustment, the degree and duration of which is dependent on individual circumstances. The respondents felt underserved and unprepared both emotionally and cognitively for their new unanticipated role. During the focus groups, many suggestions were made for how SPs could be better prepared for their roles. The ways in which research can be used to change practice are discussed. © 2009 Thomas Land Publishers, Inc.