"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
Authors | Bryant, Chloe, Aplin, Tammy, Piantedosi, Diana K. and Setchell, Jenny |
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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. |
Keywords | sexual health and wellbeing; disability; heteronormative assumptions; qualitative health research; lived experience; Australia |
Year | 2024 |
Journal | Sexuality and Disability |
Journal citation | 42 (2), pp. 259-275 |
Publisher | Springer |
ISSN | 0146-1044 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-024-09837-y |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85187184484 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Page range | 259-275 |
Funder | University of Queensland |
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) | |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 09 Mar 2024 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 30 Nov 2023 |
Deposited | 27 Mar 2025 |
Grant ID | APP1157199 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/9180v/-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
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Publisher's version
OA_Bryant_2024_Its_not_can_you_do_this.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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