Biographical disruption and the experience of loss following a spinal cord injury: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Citation

Dickson A, Allan D & O'Carroll R (2008) Biographical disruption and the experience of loss following a spinal cord injury: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Psychology and Health, 23 (4), pp. 407-425. https://doi.org/10.1080/14768320701219136

Abstract
Individual in-depth interviews with eight people who had experienced a total spinal cord injury were conducted, focussing on the experience of living with a spinal cord injury. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and were analysed for recurrent themes using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Here we present three inter-related recurrent themes: 'Loss of control'; 'Loss of independence' and 'Loss of identity'. Participants reported an ongoing sense of loss, characterised largely by a diminishing sense of personal control. This loss of personal control manifested itself in incontinence, emotion and loss of movement. Helplessness and embarrassment were common responses. A loss of independence was associated with incontinence but also with a loss of spontaneity. A loss of identity ensued and participants reported feeling 'invisible'. The findings are discussed in relation to both extant spinal cord literature and chronic health literature. Recommendations for future research are suggested.

Keywords
Spinal cord injury, loss, identity, incontinence, IPA ; Spinal cord Wounds and injuries;Spinal cord Diseases

Journal
Psychology and Health: Volume 23, Issue 4

People

Professor Ronan O'Carroll

Professor, Psychology