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A qualitative study of the experiences of people who identify themselves as having adjusted positively to a visible difference (2011)
Journal Article
Walsh, E., Saul, K., James, H., Williams, E., Jenkinson, E., Byron-Daniel, J., …Rumsey, N. (2011). A qualitative study of the experiences of people who identify themselves as having adjusted positively to a visible difference. Journal of Health Psychology, 16(5), 739-749. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105310390246

© The Author(s) 2011. Individual and group interviews explored experiences of positive adjustment among 12 people with a range of visible differences. Thematic analysis identified four main themes: importance of appearance; personal growth; relations... Read More about A qualitative study of the experiences of people who identify themselves as having adjusted positively to a visible difference.

The psychosocial impact of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): A longitudinal prospective study (2010)
Journal Article
Kennedy, F., Harcourt, D., Rumsey, N., & White, P. (2010). The psychosocial impact of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): A longitudinal prospective study. Breast, 19(5), 382-387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2010.03.024

DCIS is a non-invasive breast cancer, increasingly detected through routine breast screening. Patients are reassured that the condition is early and not life-threatening but they undergo surgery similar to that used in the treatment of invasive breas... Read More about The psychosocial impact of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): A longitudinal prospective study.

Incorporating user perspectives in the design of an online intervention tool for people with visible differences: Face IT (2010)
Journal Article
Bessell, A., Clarke, A., Harcourt, D., Moss, T., & Rumsey, N. (2010). Incorporating user perspectives in the design of an online intervention tool for people with visible differences: Face IT. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 38(5), 577-596. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1352465810000305

Background: Individuals with visible differences can experience social anxiety in relation to their appearance. Social skills-based psychosocial interventions have to date shown only limited effectiveness at addressing their concerns. Aims: To incorp... Read More about Incorporating user perspectives in the design of an online intervention tool for people with visible differences: Face IT.

How do young people use disclosure in real-time and non-real-time online groups? (2010)
Journal Article
Fox, F. E., Morris, M., & Rumsey, N. (2010). How do young people use disclosure in real-time and non-real-time online groups?. International Journal of Web Based Communities, 6(4), 337-348. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJWBC.2010.035837

While self-disclosure is an important feature of adolescent peer friendships there is little evidence to identify how disclosure processes are affected by the online environment. A qualitative analysis of two online groups, established for research p... Read More about How do young people use disclosure in real-time and non-real-time online groups?.

Adolescents with and without a facial difference: The role of friendships and social acceptance in perceptions of appearance and emotional resilience (2010)
Journal Article
Feragen, K. B., Kvalem, I. L., Rumsey, N., & Borge, A. I. (2010). Adolescents with and without a facial difference: The role of friendships and social acceptance in perceptions of appearance and emotional resilience. Body Image, 7(4), 271-279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2010.05.002

This study investigated the role of friendships and social acceptance in self-perceptions of appearance and depressive symptoms, comparing adolescents with and without a facial difference. Adolescents with a visible cleft (n=196) were compared with a... Read More about Adolescents with and without a facial difference: The role of friendships and social acceptance in perceptions of appearance and emotional resilience.

'You're whatever the patient needs at the time'; The impact on health and social care professionals of supporting people with epidermolysis bullosa (2010)
Journal Article
Dures, E., Morris, M., Gleeson, K., & Rumsey, N. (2010). 'You're whatever the patient needs at the time'; The impact on health and social care professionals of supporting people with epidermolysis bullosa. Chronic Illness, 6(3), 215-227. https://doi.org/10.1177/1742395310377006

Objectives: Professionals working with people who encounter pain and suffering can experience adverse emotional effects themselves. However, to provide effective support it is necessary to understand specific work-related experiences and contexts. Th... Read More about 'You're whatever the patient needs at the time'; The impact on health and social care professionals of supporting people with epidermolysis bullosa.

Attentional and interpretative biases in appearance concern: An investigation of biases in appearance-related information processing (2010)
Journal Article
Rosser, B. A., Moss, T., & Rumsey, N. (2010). Attentional and interpretative biases in appearance concern: An investigation of biases in appearance-related information processing. Body Image, 7(3), 251-254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2010.02.007

The present study examined associations between high levels of appearance concern and information processing biases in interpretation and attention. An opportunity sample (N = 79) categorised ambiguous stimuli as related or unrelated to appearance. P... Read More about Attentional and interpretative biases in appearance concern: An investigation of biases in appearance-related information processing.

Using evidence-based principles to achieve sustained behavior change (2009)
Journal Article
Rumsey, N. (2009). Using evidence-based principles to achieve sustained behavior change. Wounds UK, 21(12),

This narrative review outlines the potential benefits of supporting clients to successfully change existing patterns of behavior in the context of wound care. In acknowledging the complexities involved in changing deeply ingrained patterns of behavio... Read More about Using evidence-based principles to achieve sustained behavior change.

South Asian community views about individuals with a disfigurement (2009)
Journal Article
Hughes, J., Naqvi, H., Saul, K., Williamson, H., Johnson, M., Rumsey, N., & Charlton, R. (2009). South Asian community views about individuals with a disfigurement. Diversity in Health and Care, 6(4), 241-253

There is a paucity of research exploring the views of different cultural and ethnic groups about individuals with a visible difference. This research is a priority area given that issues of disfigurement, stigma and shame may be particularly bound... Read More about South Asian community views about individuals with a disfigurement.

Quality of life and psychosocial adjustment to burn injury: Social functioning, body image, and health policy perspectives (2009)
Journal Article
Corry, N., Pruzinsky, T., & Rumsey, N. (2009). Quality of life and psychosocial adjustment to burn injury: Social functioning, body image, and health policy perspectives. International Review of Psychiatry, 21(6), 539-548. https://doi.org/10.3109/09540260903343901

This paper reviews four major topics related to the long-term psychosocial rehabilitation for burn survivors; (1) Body image adjustment process; (2) Social functioning challenges; (3) Interventions designed to address psychosocial rehabilitation chal... Read More about Quality of life and psychosocial adjustment to burn injury: Social functioning, body image, and health policy perspectives.

Perceptions of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) among UK health professionals (2009)
Journal Article
Kennedy, F., Harcourt, D., & Rumsey, N. (2009). Perceptions of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) among UK health professionals. Breast, 18(2), 89-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2009.01.004

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a complex medical entity which presents challenges for the health professionals who manage the treatment and support of the increasing numbers of women diagnosed with the condition. Health professionals' perceptions... Read More about Perceptions of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) among UK health professionals.

Social experience in 10-year-old children born with a cleft: Exploring psychosocial resilience (2009)
Journal Article
Borge, A. I., Feragen, K. B., & Rumsey, N. (2009). Social experience in 10-year-old children born with a cleft: Exploring psychosocial resilience. Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 46(1), 65-74. https://doi.org/10.1597/07-124.1

Objective: The purposes of this study were to investigate self-reported social experience in 10-year-old children born with a cleft lip and/or palate and to gain a better understanding of variables implicated In psychosocial resilience. Design: Cross... Read More about Social experience in 10-year-old children born with a cleft: Exploring psychosocial resilience.

The psychology of appearance: why health psychologists should “do looks” (2008)
Journal Article
Rumsey, N. (2008). The psychology of appearance: why health psychologists should “do looks”

Societal interest in appearance has a long history, but has never been more prevalent than now. Messages associating physical attractiveness with success and happiness are unremitting; researchers and commentators consider that extensive, and for... Read More about The psychology of appearance: why health psychologists should “do looks”.

The challenge of being diagnosed and treated for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (2008)
Journal Article
Kennedy, F., Harcourt, D., & Rumsey, N. (2008). The challenge of being diagnosed and treated for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 12(2), 103-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2007.09.007

Following the introduction of the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) in the UK increasing numbers of women are diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In DCIS, the cancer cells are confined to the ducts of the breast... Read More about The challenge of being diagnosed and treated for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

Considerations for the provision of psychosocial services for families following paediatric burn injury-A quantitative study (2008)
Journal Article
Phillips, C., & Rumsey, N. (2008). Considerations for the provision of psychosocial services for families following paediatric burn injury-A quantitative study. Burns, 34(1), 56-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2006.12.003

The purpose of the study was to quantify and report levels of psychosocial distress in a sample of parents of burned children to inform evidence-based recommendations for psychosocial support programmes. This paper reports on the cross-sectional quan... Read More about Considerations for the provision of psychosocial services for families following paediatric burn injury-A quantitative study.

Considerations for psychosocial support following burn injury-A family perspective (2007)
Journal Article
Phillips, C., Fussell, A., & Rumsey, N. (2007). Considerations for psychosocial support following burn injury-A family perspective. Burns, 33(8), 986-994. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2007.01.010

As part of a larger study involving burned adults and parents of burned children, family members were asked for their views regarding the impact of burn on themselves and the family (N = 50). The aim is to describe the range of psychosocial issues th... Read More about Considerations for psychosocial support following burn injury-A family perspective.

Managing appearance changes resulting from cancer treatment: Resilience in adolescent females (2007)
Journal Article
Wallace, M. L., Harcourt, D., Rumsey, N., & Foot, A. (2007). Managing appearance changes resulting from cancer treatment: Resilience in adolescent females. Psycho-Oncology, 16(11), 1019-1027. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.1176

Typically, adolescence is marked by cognitive and physical developments impacting on self-esteem, independence and sexual awareness, often resulting in increased appearance awareness and dissatisfaction. Adolescents with cancer have the additional bu... Read More about Managing appearance changes resulting from cancer treatment: Resilience in adolescent females.

Visible difference amongst children and adolescents: Issues and interventions (2007)
Journal Article
Rumsey, N., & Harcourt, D. (2007). Visible difference amongst children and adolescents: Issues and interventions. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 10(2), 113-123. https://doi.org/10.1080/13638490701217396

Whether present at birth or acquired later in life, a visible difference (disfigurement) can have considerable psychological ramifications for children and adolescents. Whilst many young people adapt to the demands placed upon them and appear relativ... Read More about Visible difference amongst children and adolescents: Issues and interventions.

"Ur skin is the thing that everyone sees and you cant change it!": Exploring the appearance-related concerns of young people with psoriasis (2007)
Journal Article
Fox, F. E., Rumsey, N., & Morris, M. (2007). "Ur skin is the thing that everyone sees and you cant change it!": Exploring the appearance-related concerns of young people with psoriasis. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 10(2), 133-141. https://doi.org/10.1080/13638490701217594

Purpose: The failure of research to capture the qualitative experiences of young people who have chronic skin conditions means that their psychosocial needs are poorly understood. Using a grounded theory approach, this study facilitated group discuss... Read More about "Ur skin is the thing that everyone sees and you cant change it!": Exploring the appearance-related concerns of young people with psoriasis.