EXPLORING THE MEANING OF CONTINUITY OF RECREATION ACTIVITY IN THE EARLY STAGES OF ADJUSTMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH SPINAL-CORD INJURY

This study was undertaken to gain insight into how people with spinal cord injury (15 men and 5 women; age range = 17-59, M = 30.2) perceive their return to previously enjoyable activities. An ''insider's'' per spective (Conrad, 1987) was generated through participant observation and in-depth interviews, and the data were analyzed with Strauss's (19 87) constant comparative method. Participants reported actively seekin g previous activities and negotiating the meaning of the activities to continue their participation. The subthemes that define the meaning o f continuity were (a) seeking continuity as an aspiration of adjustmen t for future actions, (b) establishing a sense of continuity through a pproximations to preinjury activities, and (c) accommodating for conti nuity for the purpose of establishing a sense of continuity. Exploring the nature and importance of continuity in this population suggests a broader discourse and extension to other disruptive life events.