A study at the Bishop Lavis Rehabilitation Centre into the perceptions of personal sexuality of women with disabilities following a stroke

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand and describe the factors which affect the manner in which women with physical disabilities as a result of stroke, perceive and feel about their own sexuality. The need to explore these issues stemmed from the fact that the staff at the Bishop Lavis Rehabilitation Centre (BLRC) was concerned that sexuality issues were not being addressed within their stroke rehabilitation programme. Qualitative research methods were utilised with the researcher choosing the phenomenological approach, and semi-structured interviews with the use of an interview guide were conducted with a maximum variation sample of eight participants. Common themes and sub-themes that emerged include 1) the role of a woman as caregiver/homemaker; 2) the concept of sexuality;3) /loss of self worth was directly related to /loss of functional independence; 4) decline in / absence of sexual desire and intimacy with growing older; 5) reluctance to form new intimate relationships due to experiences prior to the stroke; 6) availability of adequate reproductive health services,' and 7) stroke prevention. The results of this study revealed that participant's perceptions of sexuality and coping with changes in sexuality following stroke were mostly influenced by life experiences, physiological changes, psychosocial influences and coping mechanisms prior to the stroke, while environmental and physical factors following the stroke influenced these perceptions to some degree. It was therefore concluded that programmes aimed at addressing sexuality issues within the stroke rehabilitation programme at the BLRC have to be designed and tailored according to individual client needs.