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Female Spouses’ Perceptions of the Sexual Relationship with Stroke-Affected Partners

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Abstract

Sexuality is known to be important for couples’ function after stroke. Although maintaining a satisfying sexual life has a positive influence on self-esteem and predicts overall quality of life, there has been little focus on healthy spouses’ sexuality after stroke. The purpose of this Norwegian study is to provide an interpretation of the influence of stroke on female spouses’ sexual relationship with their disabled partner after stroke. Sexuality is understood as an integral and inseparable part of a person’s personality and a basic aspect of being human. A phenomenological hermeneutic approach inspired by Merleau-Ponty was chosen. Narrative interviews were conducted with twelve female spouses who had lived 3–25 years with their stroke ridden partner. The data analysis resulted in four main themes: Married to a “stranger”; The shift from partner to caregiver; Sexuality wrapped in silence; A void to live with. These themes highlighted the influence of the residual disabilities, emotional experiences and overall life changes on spouses’ sexual life with their partner. Spouses experienced their partner as changed and sometimes as having become a stranger. The former mutual relationship was turned into a caregiver/care receiver relationship. Spouses felt they were confronted with emotional turmoil that interfered with their sexual life. Communication problems added to couples’ difficulties and some spouses decided to end the frustrating sexual relationship with their partner. Although the spouses managed to find different coping strategies, the loss of a fulfilling sexual life added to their burden. Health professionals did not address sexuality. Specialized training programs are needed to increase professional awareness and competency regarding sexuality after stroke.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all participants who shared their experiences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Society, Narvik University College, Lodve Langesgt. 2, Pb. 385, 8505, Narvik, Norway

    Gabriele Kitzmüller

  2. Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway

    Bente Ervik

  3. Department of Health and Care Sciences, University of Tromsø, The Arctic University of Norway, 9019, Tromsø, Norway

    Bente Ervik

Authors
  1. Gabriele Kitzmüller
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  2. Bente Ervik
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Correspondence to Gabriele Kitzmüller.

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Funding

This study was funded by Narvik University College, Norway.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standard

The study has been performed in accordance with the ethical standards as laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. Ethical approval was granted by the Regional Committee for Medical Research ethics, Northern Norway REK NORD 55/2008.

Informed consent

Written informed consent was obtained from all individual participants prior to inclusion.

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Kitzmüller, G., Ervik, B. Female Spouses’ Perceptions of the Sexual Relationship with Stroke-Affected Partners. Sex Disabil 33, 499–512 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-015-9404-x

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