Background and aim(s)
Little is known about sexual rehabilitation for LGBTQI+ persons with chronic health conditions with the majority of research focusing on risk management. This study explores how rehabilitation professionals provide sexual rehabilitation post stroke to LGBTQI+ stroke survivors and partners of LGBTQI+ stroke survivors.
Method
Design: A qualitative phenomenological research design was used with the design and reporting were informed by the COREQ checklist. 23 adult participants who identified as LGBTQI+ stroke survivors (n=18) and LGBTQI+ stroke survivor partners (n=5). Interviews were conducted by the lead researcher via Zoom (video conferencing) with analysis completed using the steps of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to analyse each individual transcript before subthemes from each transcript were compared against each other. Subthemes emerged across the transcripts which led to the creation of themes presented in the results.
Results
Participants included gay men (n=12), lesbian women (n=5), queer women (n=2), a queer transgender woman (n=1), a queer man (n=1), a bisexual non-binary person (n=1) and a pansexual transgender man (n=1). Three main themes were identified: 1. Sexual rehabilitation rarely explored post stroke, 2. Provision of post stroke education and resources, and 3. Consequences of an absence of sexual rehabilitation post stroke.
Conclusion
Participants identified that sexuality was rarely addressed and if so, was not conducive to their sexual needs. Future research into underrepresented populations such as transgender, bisexual and intersex persons as well as partners to better understand their experiences of sexual rehabilitation.