Quality of life, exploring the perspective of persons with spinal cord injury

grantor: University of TorontoThis descriptive-exploratory study, guided by the human becoming theory, explored quality of life (QOL) for six persons within twelve weeks of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Four themes emerged: (1) resolving to prevail, (2) considering alternative views, (3) dwelling with enriching affiliations, and (4) bewildering uncertainty. Participants' perspectives shifted post-injury. An awareness that view and approach to life shaped QOL, and the determination to overcome limitations was expressed. Beyond presence, thinking and talking about important relationships contributed to QOL. Uncertainty pervaded the participants' experience. Themes are consistent with research related to the experiences of continuing through difficult times and life altering illnesses. Health professionals may contribute to QOL by facilitating links to important others, by engaging in discussions to surface changing views of a situation, by witnessing the struggle to overcome limitations, and by listening to how others live with uncertainty. Additional research on QOL will continue to build knowledge.M.Sc