Year: 2005
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The overall aim of this study is to explore the subjective experiences of psychotherapeutic interventions and the sense-m&ng process in a group of persons paralysed as a consequence of violence-related gunshot injury.An available and purposive sample of ten participants was selected fiom public and private hospitals in and around Johannesburg, and fiom the Association for the Physically Disabled in South Africa.Three females and seven males, between the ages of 26 and 43 years, took part in the research.The participants had all suffered penetrative damage to the spinal cord in the thoracic region as a result of violencerelated gunshot injury, and are therefore classified as having paraplegia Tne participants' gunshot injuries had been sustained in incidents ranging fiom attempted hijacking and armed robbery, to being caught in crime-related crossfire.In-depth interviews were conducted with the participants.A narrative approach was used to examine participants' unique stories, utiiising a systematic form of narrative analysis.The thesis consists of three articles, namely 1) The subjective esperience of psychotherapeutic interventions in the rehabilitation ofpersons paralysed as a result of violence-related gunshot injuries; 2 j Idaicing sense ofpmaplegia caused by violence-related gunshot injury; and 3) Therapeutic guidelines for the management of persons paralysed as a result qf violence-related gunshot injuries.The findings of article 1 reveal that paraplegic persons had both positive and negative experiences during their hospital rehabilitation.Ultimately, however, positive experiences compensated for negative experiences.This suggests that in the absence of psychotherapeutic interventions, psychosocial adjustment may possibfy not be facilitated.The second article indicates that although several barriers prevented participants from makirig sense of their traum% meaningfbl relationships, sgiritual growth md a greater appreciation of the value of life were still possible.in the h a 1 article guidelines were put forward that include meeting the holistic and adjustment needs of paraplegic persons.Future research is suggested arld limitations acknowledged.
Author: Gregory Bryne Hope
Language: English
Topic: Spinal Cord Injury Research
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W187764180