Citation

Hughes M, Burton AE, Dempsey RC. J. Health Psychol. 2019; 24(10): 1356-1367.

Affiliation

Staffordshire University, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1359105317750254

PMID

29284303

Abstract

This study investigated how wheelchair-using individuals with paraplegia and chronic pain make sense of the factors associated with quality of life based on interviews using photo-elicitation and interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three superordinate themes emerged in the analysis: experiencing quality of life through the perception of self and identity, interpersonal relationships as facilitators and barriers to quality of life and life in a wheelchair: pain experience and management. Quality of life for those living with paraplegia and chronic pain is experienced as a complex interaction across several life domains. The use of photographs may improve the communication of pain-related experiences and understanding by healthcare staff.

Language: en

Keywords

disability; interpretative phenomenological analysis; pain; qualitative methods; quality of life