@article { , title = {Understandings and experiences of visible difference and romantic relationships: A qualitative exploration}, abstract = {© 2018 Elsevier Ltd The association between disfigurement (‘visible difference’) and romantic relationships has received relatively little consideration in the research literature. This qualitative research, conducted in the United Kingdom, explored participants’ accounts of their visible difference and romantic life. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 participants who had a variety of visible differences. Inductive thematic analysis demonstrated that participants understood their difference as having a pervasive and enduring impact. These encompassed challenges that must be negotiated in the formation of romantic relationships, including feeling unattractive to others and feeling personally devalued. Relevant physical and sexual sequelae were comprised of anxieties regarding informing partners of a difference, impacted sexual activity, and concerns about heritability. Finally, the potential for partner support and acceptance to positively impact romantic relationships was recognised. This research highlighted the need to extend our understanding of visible difference and intimate relationships and to develop effective interventions to ameliorate appearance-related concern.}, doi = {10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.08.002}, issn = {1740-1445}, journal = {Body Image}, note = {Old exception explanation: I originally submitted this article to a health psychology journal (published by SAGE and with a 12 month embargo) but was rejected by the editor as it was thought not to be a good fit as it was not ‘health’ orientated enough. Health psychology is the most closely aligned mainstream field to this work (which is appearance psychology) and so, in the hope of avoiding being rejected at this early stage by another health psychology journal, I decided to seek publication in Body Image, a specialist journal that focusses on body image and physical appearance including the effects of body image and physical characteristics (e.g., body size, attractiveness, physical disfigurements or disorders) on psychological functioning, interpersonal processes, and quality of life. The journal is therefore the journal that the paper ‘fits’ best (of which I am aware). Body Image is also the world leading journal in this field. This ensures that my study, investigating a previously under-researched area, should be brought to the attention of the most interested and relevant international audience in the quickest possible time, ensuring timely dissemination, and integration into the visible difference literature.}, pages = {32-42}, publicationstatus = {Published}, publisher = {Elsevier}, url = {https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/855453}, volume = {27}, keyword = {Centre for Appearance Research, Formerly Health & Social Sciences, visible difference, disfigurement, romantic relationships, intimacy, psychology, thematic analysis}, year = {2018}, author = {Sharratt, Nicholas David and Jenkinson, Elizabeth and Moss, Timothy and Clarke, Alexandra and Rumsey, Nichola} }