Experiences of living and coping with spinal cord disability due to road traffic injuries: A phenomenological study

Abstract

Introduction

Globally, people living with spinal cord disability experience more limitations in an individual and social life. In many cases, this leads to complex psychological and social problems that may also affect the adaptation to the conditions. The aim of the study was to explore the experience of living and coping with disability in people with spinal cord disability due to road traffic accidents in Iran’s cultural context.

Methods

This is a qualitative study with a phenomenological approach on 10 Iranian people with spinal cord disability due to road traffic injuries. Data collection and analysis were performed from September to March 2019. Data were collected through individual, face-to-face in-depth interviews, and the experience of living with disability and adaptation strategies were explored. Van Manen’s methodical activities were used to guide the study’s process.

Results

“Victim of destiny” was the main theme extracted from three themes and nine sub-themes. The disabled people viewed life as a prison that destiny had ordained for them and trapped them in the fences of isolation, anger, regret, anxiety, sorrow, pity, and futility such that they require assistance from others as dependent individuals. The participants’ coping strategies to adjust to their difficulties were religious recourse, satisfaction with God’s expediency, and change of life values.

Conclusions

Spinal cord disability imposed irreversible restrictions on the participants’ lives. Providing social support, empowering disabled people to overcome their limitations, and adopting religious recourse can help them to recover their mental health and better cope with their conditions.