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Congenital Melanocytic Naevus (CMN) through the lens: Exploring the positive experiences of young people with CMN using photo-elicitation interviews

Guest, Ella

Congenital Melanocytic Naevus (CMN) through the lens: Exploring the positive experiences of young people with CMN using photo-elicitation interviews Thumbnail


Authors

Ella Guest Ella.Guest@uwe.ac.uk
Occasional Associate Lecturer - CHSS - HSS



Abstract

Background: Congenital Melanocytic Naevus (CMN) is characterised by raised birthmarks, commonly present on the trunk, face, arms, and legs. Children and adolescents with CMN can experience negative attention from others in relation to the appearance of their condition, which can lead to social anxiety, self-consciousness, and appearance-dissatisfaction. However, some cope well with these challenges, adjust to their condition, and have associated positive outcomes. Understanding the lived experiences of those who have successfully adjusted may help to promote positive adjustment in children and young people with CMN.

Objectives: To gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of four females in middle adolescence (15-17 years) who self-identified as having adjusted positively to having large/giant CMN.

Method: The research was underpinned by relativist, hermeneutic and phenomenological theoretical assumptions. Novel, open participant-driven photo-elicitation interviews, ranging from 47 to 80 minutes, were carried out remotely via telephone or video conferencing with each participant and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the transcribed interview data.

Results: Three superordinate themes were identified: ‘Accepting My ‘True’ Self’ (1), ‘I am Not Alone in This’ (2), and ‘Developing as a Person’ (3). The themes related to accepting and appreciating CMN as part of their identity, feeling supported by family, friends, and peers with CMN, and developing new coping and life skills due to having CMN.

Conclusions: The study makes a novel contribution to the literature by exploring adjustment from the perspective of young people with CMN using photo-methodology. Accepting CMN as an important part of their identity, appreciating being different, feeling well supported by family, friends, and others with CMN, and using positive emotions to deal with condition-related challenges had enabled the participants to adjust and feel positive about their condition. The findings indicate young people have similar adjustment experiences to adults and are in line with existing cross-condition theoretical models. Furthermore, they suggest that positive body image may be important for adjustment in young people with CMN, that young people can have control over their adjustment trajectory, and factors such as optimism can be employed to develop coping skills and adapt to adverse situations. The findings are discussed in relation to future research and psychosocial interventions.

Citation

Guest, E. Congenital Melanocytic Naevus (CMN) through the lens: Exploring the positive experiences of young people with CMN using photo-elicitation interviews. (Thesis). University of the West of England. Retrieved from https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7576799

Thesis Type Thesis
Deposit Date Jul 28, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Keywords Health Psychology, Qualitative, Photo-Elicitation, Interviews, Young People, Psychosocial, Visible Difference
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7576799
Award Date Nov 25, 2021

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