Abstract Couples facing physical disabilities, specifically, a spinal cord injury, face significant marital stressors. Results of recent studies show patterns in the adjustment processes in couples who face this challenge. This grounded theory analysis of both couple and individual interviews with 22 participants identified four specific areas experienced by these couples: challenges in intimacy, negotiating care needs, redefining masculinity, and social disconnection. Findings support and refine current literature on physical disabilities and add to the gap in literature specifically related to spinal cord injuries, shame, and the impact on the marital relationship. Implications highlight a need to address the themes in post-rehabilitation and a particular case is made for the utility of Emotionally Focused Therapy in working through the themes.

中文翻译：

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脊髓损伤对夫妻关系的影响：调整过程的扎根理论探索

摘要 面临身体残疾，特别是脊髓损伤的夫妇，面临着重大的婚姻压力。最近的研究结果显示了面临这一挑战的夫妇的适应过程模式。这项对 22 名参与者的夫妻和个人访谈的扎根理论分析确定了这些夫妻所经历的四个特定领域：亲密关系的挑战、协商护理需求、重新定义男子气概和社会脱节。调查结果支持并完善了当前关于身体残疾的文献，并增加了与脊髓损伤、羞耻感和对婚姻关系的影响相关的文献中的空白。暗示强调需要解决康复后的主题，并为情绪聚焦疗法在处理主题中的效用提供了一个特殊案例。