‘It takes two to tango …’ revisited: a qualitative study on integration and participation of people living with spinal cord injury in Switzerland

Abstract

We aimed to examine how integration and participation are understood by persons with spinal cord injury. A qualitative study was carried out where we analysed 14 interviews with persons with spinal cord injury living in Switzerland. Integration was more often understood in terms of social acceptance and inclusion, while individual activities were more often highlighted in definitions of participation. Environmental factors were seen as the most important determinants. Applied strategies comprised pre-arrangements, open communication, asking for help and optimism. Common ground appears to be autonomous functioning and freedom of choice while major determinants are seen in the environment.

Keywords:

• social integration
• participation
• subjective theories
• spinal cord injury

Acknowledgements

The study would not have been possible without a considerable number of supporters. The authors would particularly like to thank John Leen for recruiting participants, fruitful discussions and his continuous support of the project; Erwin Zemp for his help in recruiting participants; Yvonne Bucher who conducted the first interviews and wrote an excellent bachelor thesis about the project; Franziska Egli and Saraina von Grünigen for their assistance in interviews, transcription and analysis; Albert Marti for his assistance in data analysis; and Prof. Gerold Stucki and Mirjam Brach for excellent discussions on design and project management. Dr James E. Gosney was a great support in English language corrections. The authors thank the Assembly of Delegates of the European Spinal Cord Injury Federation (ESCIF), and particularly ESCIF Past President Dr Daniel Joggi and Secretary Urs Styger for their great support of the project. The study was funded by Swiss Paraplegic Research.