Faculty Advisor(s)
Ariana Belles
Files
Abstract
A Guide to Sexual Intimacy Following Spinal Cord Injury is a two-part manual that was created to increase the knowledge related to how sex can be impacted following a spinal cord injury. The first manual was created as a guide for individuals with spinal cord injuries and their partners to enhance their knowledge on how their spinal cord injury may impact their sexual functioning. The second manual was created as a guide for occupational therapy practitioners to use as a resource when addressing sex with their clients following a spinal cord injury. Each manual provides information related to sexual intimacy, sexual relationships, sexual intercourse, sex toys, positioning devices, women’s sexual health, and men’s sexual health. All of these areas of sexual functioning can be impacted following a spinal cord injury. Each section is meant to provide information on how these areas can be addressed to improve an individual’s overall sexual functioning in these specific areas. Occupational therapy practitioners can address sex and sexual intimacy with their clients because it falls under the occupation of activities of daily living (ADLs). Sex and sexual intimacy, being considered an ADL, allows occupational therapy practitioners the opportunity to address all aspects of sex and sexual intimacy to promote an individual’s participation in their ADLs, enhance sexual satisfaction, and improve their overall quality of life. By addressing this often overlooked daily activity, occupational therapy practitioners can ensure they are keeping their sessions occupation-focused and client-centered.
Publication Date
8-2025
Document Type
Poster
Department
Occupational Therapy
Keywords
sexual intimacy, spinal cord injury, women’s sexual health, men’s sexual health, capstone, occupational therapy
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Occupational Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Olenick, Jillian M., "A Guide to Sexual Intimacy Following Spinal Cord Injury" (2025). Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2025. 26.
https://digitalcommons.misericordia.edu/otd_capstone2025/26