Abstract

Background: Every year approximately 160 people in Sweden suffer spinal cord injury and year 2010 about 5,000 Swedes lived with the consequences of a traumatic spinal cord injury. There is relatively little research about these people's experience of living with such an injury and how hope can be vital for survival for a person in the seemingly hopeless situation

Aim: To describe patients' experiences of hope and the meaning of hope after a traumatic spinal cord injury.

Methods: Qualitative study. Ten articles have been read, coded, analyzed, and discussed.

Results: The literature review resulted in five themes that all are about hope was expressed among people with spinal cord injury. These themes were: Hope its' expressions and effects, To be in a vicious circle, Hope during the first time after the injury, Hope in relation to will and faith and Hope as driving power and coping strategy.

Discussions: In the discussion hope as a coping strategy, the significance to the caring relationship, hope as faith and will power are discussed.

Key words: Spinal cord injury, hope, coping strategy