Adaptation to Disability by the Wives of Spinal Cord Males - A Phenomenological Approach

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Abstract
This study investigated the process of adaptation to physical disability by the spouses of the disabled. Ten women, whose husbands had become spinal cord injured after their marriage, were interviewed using an open-ended questionnaire format. Sixteen major themes emerged from the content analysis of the interviews, which was performed using the phenomenological methods of Giorgi (1975) and Collier and Kuiken (1977). Discussion focuses on three areas: (1) the major themes, (2) six factors identified as influencing the outcomes of the adaptation process, and (3) the changes experienced by the participants. These were examined and discussed so as to illuminate the need for services for the non-injured family members. Implications of the study for rehabilitation psychology are discussed and suggestions made for future research endeavors.

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