Dating and Relationship Psychoeducational Group for Veterans with Spinal Cord Injury/Dysfunction: A Historical Account of an Initial Clinical Course

Factors Which Facilitate or Impede Interpersonal Interactions and Relationships after Spinal Cord Injury: A Scoping Review with Suggestions for Rehabilitation

“…Specific programs designed to enhance interpersonal interactions and relationships were examined in two studies, with some limited evidence of success [44, 85]. One of these programs approached this directly through psychoeducation aimed at assisting with dating and relationships [44] whilst the other was an outdoor sports program which anticipated that friendships and social support would be created as a by-product of the program environment [85].…”

“…One of these programs approached this directly through psychoeducation aimed at assisting with dating and relationships [44] whilst the other was an outdoor sports program which anticipated that friendships and social support would be created as a by-product of the program environment [85]. Vocational rehabilitation programs were also implied to improve social integration and relationships in two studies [51, 89].…”

“…The vast majority of the quantitative studies were correlational or comparative in nature, examining associations between variables within and between groups. There was only one study which described and evaluated a specific intervention aimed at equipping people socially after SCI—a dating and relationships psychoeducational group [44]. While the relative lack of such studies does not mean that these types of interventions do not occur in practice, it does suggest a gap in the research to date.…”

Renegotiating Sexuality Following an Acquired Disability: Best Practices for Counselors

“…In fact, individuals with disabilities have been considered asexual, or regarded as sexual beings solely in terms of reproduction and function (Dune, ; Esmail et al, ; Hess, Hough, & Tammaro, ). Therefore, a limited view of sexual health and well‐being focused solely on the ability to achieve an erection/vaginal lubrication and orgasm may further contribute to the stigmatization of individuals with a physical disability (Dune, ; Esmail et al, ; Hough, Stone, & Buse, ). In particular, individuals with spinal cord injuries may experience this biased assumption if they are unable to maintain or achieve an erection or vaginal lubrication, or if they are void of tactile sensation that can promote orgasm (Hough et al, ).…”

“…Therefore, a limited view of sexual health and well‐being focused solely on the ability to achieve an erection/vaginal lubrication and orgasm may further contribute to the stigmatization of individuals with a physical disability (Dune, ; Esmail et al, ; Hough, Stone, & Buse, ). In particular, individuals with spinal cord injuries may experience this biased assumption if they are unable to maintain or achieve an erection or vaginal lubrication, or if they are void of tactile sensation that can promote orgasm (Hough et al, ). In fact, it has been assumed that these individuals cannot have a normal or healthy sexual lifestyle and that their sexual lives are destined to be inferior (Esmail et al, ; Ostrander ; Tiefer, ).…”