Table 1 Examples of Open-Ended Questions from the Interview Guides for Impact of SCI on Relationships

1. Caregiver: Do you feel that your relationship with your partner/child changed after his/her injury?

2. Caregiver: How did you and your family member handle sex and intimacy during the early stage of injury and have there been any changes now (please explain)?

3. Caregiver: How does providing care to your family member impact your other roles as a mother/father, spouse, active community member, etc.?

4. Care recipient: Can you please tell me how you and your family member adjusted to the changes after discharge (i.e., immediately after discharge and/or past the 10 years)?

5. Care recipient: From your perspective, what do you think are some benefits of your family member being the primary caregiver?

6. Care recipient: How do you think providing care to you affects your family member emotionally (positively and negatively)?

a. Probing: How do you help your family member cope with these negative emotions when providing care to you?