Abstract
The study examined the sexuality of paraplegic and quadriplegic males in relation to the factors of self-esteem, degree of impairment, length of time elapsed since injury, and influence of rehabilitation intervention. It was hypothesized that a positive correlation would be found between the variables of self-esteem and sexuality. Thirty spinal cord injured subjects were used ranging in age from 22 to 45 and with. varying levels of injury. Spinal cord injured subjects were obtained through contacts with schools,rehabilitation facilities and various disabled groups. A matched set of non-spinal cord. injured controls were used. Although it was hypothesized that a high self-esteem rating would correlate positively with a high degree of sexuality awareness, this hypothesis was not substantiated by the results. The study concluded that rehabilitation facilities can prove to be more helpful in providing sexual assessments and counseling for the spinal cord injured.