Using information from patients, over a period of almost ten years, who were hospitalised with spinal cord injuries at a specialised clinic, the Ludwigshafen Industrial Injuries Insurance Institute Accident Hospital -- Medical Director: W. Arens, M.D. -- this empirical study surveys the vocational and financial as well as the family and interpersonal situation of spinal cord-injured persons in the Federal Republic of Germany. The study was performed by means of mailed questionnaires of which 50% were returned. In addition to the composition of the sample with regard to the type of lesion and social status the study focused on sexual abilities and problems. The identified behavioural disturbances of the studied persons were related to counselling and counselling opportunities. he study was financed in part by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der südwestdeutschen evangelischen Sozialfachhochschulen (working group of the southwest german protestant politechnics specialising in training for social careers) in Darmstadt, Fribourg/Brsg., Ludwigshafen and Reutlingen.