How is sexuality after stroke experienced by stroke survivors and partners of stroke survivors? A systematic review of qualitative studies

McGrath, M; Lever, S; McCluskey, A; Power, E

How is sexuality after stroke experienced by stroke survivors and partners of stroke survivors? A systematic review of qualitative studies

McGrath, M Lever, S McCluskey, A Power, E

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Clinical Rehabilitation, 2019, 33 (2), pp. 293 - 303
Issue Date:: 2019-02-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	McGrath, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Lever, S	en_US
dc.contributor.author	McCluskey, A	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Power, E https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2638-0406	en_US
dc.date.issued	2019-02-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Clinical Rehabilitation, 2019, 33 (2), pp. 293 - 303	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0269-2155	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/131543
dc.description.abstract	© The Author(s) 2018. Objective: To synthesise how post-stroke sexuality is experienced by stroke survivors and partners of stroke survivors. Methods: MEDLINE, PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched from inception to May 2018 using a combination of relevant Medical Subject Headings and Free Text Terms. Only papers published in English reporting original qualitative research were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Research Checklist. All text presented as ‘results’ or ‘findings’ in the included studies was extracted and subjected to a thematic analysis and synthesis which was discussed and agreed by the research team. Results: The initial search yielded 136 unique papers with a further 8 papers identified through reference checking. Following full-text review, 43 papers were included in the final synthesis. Two analytical themes were identified: sexuality is silenced and sexuality is muted and sometimes changed, but not forgotten. These themes were made up of six descriptive themes: struggle to communicate within relationships, health professionals don’t talk about sexuality, sexuality and disability is a taboo topic, changes to pre-stroke relationships, changed relationship with the stroke survivor’s own body and resuming sexual intimacy – adaptation and loss. Conclusion: Stroke has a profound impact on how sexuality is experienced by both stroke survivors and partners of stroke survivors. Despite this, post-stroke sexuality is rarely discussed openly. Stroke survivors and partners value sexuality and may benefit from strategies to support adjustment to post-stroke sexuality.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Clinical Rehabilitation	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1177/0269215518793483	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Rehabilitation	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Sexuality	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Survivors	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Sexual Partners	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Stroke	en_US
dc.title	How is sexuality after stroke experienced by stroke survivors and partners of stroke survivors? A systematic review of qualitative studies	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	33	en_US
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	1102 Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology	en_US
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Graduate School of Health
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	2	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	33	en_US

Abstract:

© The Author(s) 2018. Objective: To synthesise how post-stroke sexuality is experienced by stroke survivors and partners of stroke survivors. Methods: MEDLINE, PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched from inception to May 2018 using a combination of relevant Medical Subject Headings and Free Text Terms. Only papers published in English reporting original qualitative research were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Research Checklist. All text presented as ‘results’ or ‘findings’ in the included studies was extracted and subjected to a thematic analysis and synthesis which was discussed and agreed by the research team. Results: The initial search yielded 136 unique papers with a further 8 papers identified through reference checking. Following full-text review, 43 papers were included in the final synthesis. Two analytical themes were identified: sexuality is silenced and sexuality is muted and sometimes changed, but not forgotten. These themes were made up of six descriptive themes: struggle to communicate within relationships, health professionals don’t talk about sexuality, sexuality and disability is a taboo topic, changes to pre-stroke relationships, changed relationship with the stroke survivor’s own body and resuming sexual intimacy – adaptation and loss. Conclusion: Stroke has a profound impact on how sexuality is experienced by both stroke survivors and partners of stroke survivors. Despite this, post-stroke sexuality is rarely discussed openly. Stroke survivors and partners value sexuality and may benefit from strategies to support adjustment to post-stroke sexuality.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/131543