Sexual adjustment after spinal cord injury-comparison of partner experiences in pre- and postinjury relationships

Abstract

This study compared the emotional and sexual aspects of relationships before and after spinal cord injury, from the partner’s point of view. In addition, the personality characteristics of the partners were investigated. Twenty-six relationships were established before the injury and 23 after. The couples in preinjury relationships had been married or cohabiting for 3.5-51 years (median 24 years), while postinjury relationships ranged from 1 to 8 years (median 2 years). There were substantial differences in age between preinjury and postinjury partners, 21-79 years (median 51 years) and 18-45 years (median 28 years), respectively. Data collection included an 80-item questionnaire, designed to determine different aspects of sexuality, a visual analogue scale Quality of Life (VAS QL) measure and an established inventory of personality characteristics, the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP). Eighty-eight per cent of the partners in preinjury and 86% in postinjury relationships considered their overall relationship to be satisfactory. Concerning the sexual aspects of the relationships, several differences were revealed, all favouring postinjury relationships. Some of these held true even when age was treated as a significant factor and statistically controlled. Although the frequency of sexual activity and the variety of sexual expressions used were lower in the preinjury relationships, and perceived deterioration of sex life due to the injury was higher among preinjury partners, there was no significant difference between the two groups in satisfaction with current sex life. Thus, age seems to be a more important factor for sexual adjustment after a spinal cord injury, rather than whether the relationship is established before or after injury. The partners’ personality characteristics differed only slightly from those of a sex and age matched reference group and not at all between partners in pre- and postinjury relationships. © 1994 International Medical Society of Paraplegia.