Nature and dynamics of violence against people with spinal cord injury: A qualitative study

While limited research suggests people with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience elevated rates of interpersonal violence (IPV), no known studies have specifically explored the personal narratives of individuals with SCI regarding the nature and dynamics of experiences with IPV following their injury.

To conduct the first known qualitative exploration of the nature and dynamics of post-injury IPV experience in a sample of community-living men and women with SCI.

We co-conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews via ZOOM with 21 individuals from across the United States who had experienced IPV following a traumatic SCI. We analyzed the audio recordings, transcriptions, and coded transcripts using directed content analysis to identify themes.

Data analysis revealed two overarching themes related to IPV experienced by people with SCI following their injury. Theme 1, Nature of Interpersonal Violence Against People with SCI, was divided into two subthemes: a) Diverse Types of Abuse and b) Relationship to Abusers. Theme 2, Dynamics of IPV, was divided into two subthemes: a) Disclosure of Abuse and b) Barriers Experienced.

Our findings revealed the complex nature and dynamics of IPV experienced by people following an SCI. The authors discuss recommendations for future research and provide implications for research, practice, and policy.