Emotional Quality of Relationship and Couple Satisfaction among Persons with Spinal Cord Injury and their Spouses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a life-altering event that affects both the individual and their intimate relationships, particularly their emotional and sexual dynamics. There is limited research on how SCI impacts the emotional quality of relationships among married couples, particularly in developing countries. This study aims to fill that gap by exploring the emotional dynamics and relationship satisfaction between persons with SCI and their spouses. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the emotional quality of relationships and couple satisfaction among persons with SCI and their spouses. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, with data collected from 116 individuals with SCI. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling from community. Data were gathered through structured telephone interviews, using validated tools such as the Emotional Quality of Relationships Scale (EQRS) and the Couple Satisfaction Index (CSI). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, spearman’s correlation to assess emotional quality and satisfaction across different demographic variables. Results: The study found a positive correlation between emotional quality and couple satisfaction, with emotional quality explaining 52.4% of the variability in satisfaction. A significant difference found on the completeness of the SCI. Participants with incomplete injuries had a higher mean rank (Mean Rank = 68.61) compared to those with complete injuries (Mean Rank = 47.29), with a Z value of -3.410 and a p-value of 0.001. Participants with incomplete SCI reported significantly higher levels of satisfaction and emotional quality compared to those with complete injuries. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of addressing emotional and sexual communication issues in rehabilitation programs for persons with SCI and their partners. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to assess changes in relationship dynamics over time and include more diverse populations. Key words: Spinal Cord Injury, Quality of Relationship, Couple Satisfaction