Quality of life of individuals suffering from spinal cord injury in Namibia
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Date
2010
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Literature has found that paraplegic as well as quadriplegic individuals are presented with a range of challenges, which are similar as well as frequent amongst them. These include stigmatisation, discrimination, problems related to family, work and independence. Health problems such as bowel and bladder control, infections and pressure sores, as well as related psychological problems are also common (Lustig, 2005). Paralysis impacts on all areas of an individual's life, because it has physical, psychological, social, and environmental effects. Thus, it impacts on the individual's overall well-being, their level of satisfaction with life, as well as their perception of the quality of their life
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the themes that represent quality of life and the meaning of quality of life, as defined by adults with paraplegia or quadriplegia. Purposive sampling was employed and seven people (3 females, 4 males; 3 persons with quadriplegia, 4 with paraplegia) participated in this study
Semi-structured interviews, which present the participants with maximum opportunity to convey their perceptions, were utilised for data collection. The semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed through interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). IPA is prescribed as the most effective way of psychological studies
Based on the findings of this study, quality of life is summarised as the evaluation of an individual's life, which is determined by the individual's health, psychological wellbeing, living environment,relationships, as well as their future outlook. Additionally, the results indicate that quality of life, regardless of the severity of the injury is related to the following fourteen themes: aspirations, emotional wellbeing, identity, recreation, spontaneity, effort and comfort, stigma and discrimination, mobility and accessibility, relationships, resources, coping, independence, physical wellbeing, and work and money
These findings may provide the MVA Fund and other rehabilitation institutions with information necessary to help identify most relevant professionals to assist their clients with rehabilitation. In addition, the findings may also be used in the development of programs to enhance quality of life for motor vehicle accident survivors, following severe spinal cord injuries
Literature has found that paraplegic as well as quadriplegic individuals are presented with a range of challenges, which are similar as well as frequent amongst them. These include stigmatisation, discrimination, problems related to family, work and independence. Health problems such as bowel and bladder control, infections and pressure sores, as well as related psychological problems are also common (Lustig, 2005). Paralysis impacts on all areas of an individual's life, because it has physical, psychological, social, and environmental effects. Thus, it impacts on the individual's overall well-being, their level of satisfaction with life, as well as their perception of the quality of their life
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the themes that represent quality of life and the meaning of quality of life, as defined by adults with paraplegia or quadriplegia. Purposive sampling was employed and seven people (3 females, 4 males; 3 persons with quadriplegia, 4 with paraplegia) participated in this study
Semi-structured interviews, which present the participants with maximum opportunity to convey their perceptions, were utilised for data collection. The semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed through interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). IPA is prescribed as the most effective way of psychological studies
Based on the findings of this study, quality of life is summarised as the evaluation of an individual's life, which is determined by the individual's health, psychological wellbeing, living environment,relationships, as well as their future outlook. Additionally, the results indicate that quality of life, regardless of the severity of the injury is related to the following fourteen themes: aspirations, emotional wellbeing, identity, recreation, spontaneity, effort and comfort, stigma and discrimination, mobility and accessibility, relationships, resources, coping, independence, physical wellbeing, and work and money
These findings may provide the MVA Fund and other rehabilitation institutions with information necessary to help identify most relevant professionals to assist their clients with rehabilitation. In addition, the findings may also be used in the development of programs to enhance quality of life for motor vehicle accident survivors, following severe spinal cord injuries
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Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts(clinical psychology)
Keywords
Quality of life dfisabled persons