Impact of Spinal Cord Injury on the Life Roles of Women

Abstract

Background: Spinal cord injury significantly impacts life roles, crucial to individuals' identities, which involve diverse responsibilities, leading to changes and challenges in reintegration into pre-injury communities. In a lower-income country like Bangladesh, women often juggle multiple roles within their families, workplaces, and communities. SCI may hinder their ability to fulfill their life roles effectively. However, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the role experiences of women with SCI upon their return to their communities. Therefore, this study aims to shed light on the impact of SCI on the life roles of women. Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the impact of spinal cord injury on the life roles of women. Methods: The narrative approach of qualitative research design was chosen to conduct this study. Ten women with SCI who returned to their own communities more than 6 months after completing their rehabilitation and performing their life roles and responsibilities were included by purposive sampling. Data was collected by conducting face-to-face in-depth semi-structured interviews through a self-developed interview guide. Data was analysed by thematic analysis according to Braun and Clark’s six steps. Result: The findings explored impact of spinal cord injury on the life roles of women with six themes: ⅰ) Role performance, ⅱ) Transition in life roles following injury, ⅲ) Facilitating factors in role performance, ⅳ) Inhibiting factors in role performance, ⅴ) Coping strategies, ⅵ) Varied level of life satisfaction on role performance. Conclusion: This study investigates the impact of spinal cord injury on women's life roles and responsibilities. The thematic analysis provides a comprehensive account of Abstract Abstract the overall role experiences of women with SCI, shedding light on the transformative changes in their lives and roles. The findings reveal the complex interplay between roles, changes in dynamics, empowering factors, and limiting barriers. Coping strategies emerge as crucial, shedding light on how these women navigate challenges and find varying levels of satisfaction. The study provides a holistic understanding of the experiences of ten women with SCI and benefits various stakeholders like health professionals, social workers, policymakers, educational institutions, and work-related organizations etc. Family members can also gain insight about the challenges and needs of women with SCI. Other researchers will gain valuable knowledge from this study findings on this context. This study provides advancing knowledge and will enhance the well-being and quality of life of women with SCI. Key words: Impact, Spinal Cord Injury, Life Role.