"It’s not, can you do this? It’s… how do you feel about doing this?" A critical discourse analysis of sexuality support after spinal cord injury

Journal article


Bryant, Chloe, Aplin, Tammy, Piantedosi, Diana K. and Setchell, Jenny. (2024). "It’s not, can you do this? It’s… how do you feel about doing this?" A critical discourse analysis of sexuality support after spinal cord injury. Sexuality and Disability. 42(2), pp. 259-275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-024-09837-y
AuthorsBryant, Chloe, Aplin, Tammy, Piantedosi, Diana K. and Setchell, Jenny
Abstract

Previous research has indicated that healthcare support for sexuality after spinal cord injury appears to be neglected or inadequately provided. The perspectives of people living with spinal cord injuries regarding what is lacking and what support they would like to be provided, and why, has yet to be explored. This paper uses critical theory to explore how societal constructs of sexuality and disability shape how sexuality is supported after a spinal cord injury. To do this, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 11 people with a spinal cord injury from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We drew from the works of various critical disability theorists to analyze what discourses underpinned the experiences people with spinal cord injuries had when receiving sexuality support. Analysis suggested that the following discourses were apparent: (1) broken bodies require repair, (2) sex is penetration, ejaculation then reproduction, and (3) sexual autonomy is required. Findings indicated healthcare professionals need to recognize people with spinal cord injuries as sexual beings with a diverse range of desires, lives, relations, and bodies. Provision of individualized comprehensive high-quality sexuality support is therefore warranted. To achieve this, healthcare professionals should aim to be aware of, and mitigate, ableist and normative assumptions.

Keywordssexual health and wellbeing; disability; heteronormative assumptions; qualitative health research; lived experience; Australia
Year2024
JournalSexuality and Disability
Journal citation42 (2), pp. 259-275
PublisherSpringer
ISSN0146-1044
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-024-09837-y
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85187184484
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
Page range259-275
FunderUniversity of Queensland
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online09 Mar 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted30 Nov 2023
Deposited27 Mar 2025
Grant IDAPP1157199
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License: CC BY 4.0
File access level: Open

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