Interviewing people with chronic illness about sexuality: an adaptation of the PLISSIT model

Aims and objectives: The author will draw on relevant research and her personal experience as someone who lives with a chronic illness to identify the challenges that are inherent in research interviews regarding sexuality in chronic illness.

Background: Although sexuality in chronic illness has become a significant body of research in the field of chronic illness, particularly in the field of cancer, there are few guidelines available to assist researchers in interviewing people about such an intimate and sensitive topic.

Conclusions: The PLISSIT model used in clinical counselling could be adapted to be used by researchers in interviews about sexuality. With this model a researcher can cover in-depth interview on this individual's sexuality and sexual health. Also, with the use of the PLISSIT model as a research tool, many of the past myths concerning sexuality and sexual health can be exposed and changed.

Relevance to clinical practice: The adaptation of the PLISSIT counselling model to an interviewing model can contribute to researchers feeling more confident with participants when interviewing them concerning their sexuality and sexual health. It may illicit more appropriate responses from individuals concerning their sexuality and sexual health.