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Body image and psychosocial well-being among UK military personnel and veterans who sustained appearance-altering conflict injuries

Keeling, Mary; Williamson, Heidi; Williams, Victoria; Kiff, James; Evans, Sarah; Murphy, Dominic; Harcourt, Diana

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Authors

Mary Keeling Mary.Keeling@uwe.ac.uk
Occasional Associate Lecturer - HAS HSS

Heidi Williamson Heidi3.Williamson@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Applied Health Research

Victoria Williams

James Kiff

Sarah Evans

Dominic Murphy

Diana Harcourt Diana2.Harcourt@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Appearance Research



Abstract

A modest but significant number of military personnel sustained injuries during deployments resulting in an altered-appearance (e.g., limb loss and/or scarring). Civilian research indicates that appearance-altering injuries can affect psychosocial wellbeing, yet little is known about the impact of such injuries among injured personnel. This study aimed to understand the psychosocial impact of appearance-altering injuries and possible support needs among UK military personnel and veterans. Semi-structured interviews with 23 military participants who sustained appearance-altering injuries during deployments or training since 1969 were conducted. The interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, identifying six master themes. These themes indicate that in the context of broader recovery experiences, military personnel and veterans experience a variety of psychosocial difficulties related to their changed appearance. While some of these are consistent with evidence from civilians, military-related nuances in the challenges, protective experiences, coping approaches, and preferences for support are evident. Personnel and veterans with appearance-altering injuries may require specific support for adjusting to their changed appearance and related difficulties. However, barriers to acknowledging appearance concerns were identified. Implications for support provision and future research are discussed.

Citation

Keeling, M., Williamson, H., Williams, V., Kiff, J., Evans, S., Murphy, D., & Harcourt, D. (2023). Body image and psychosocial well-being among UK military personnel and veterans who sustained appearance-altering conflict injuries. Military Psychology, 35(1), 12-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2022.2058302

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 23, 2022
Online Publication Date May 3, 2022
Publication Date 2023-01
Deposit Date Mar 30, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Military Psychology
Print ISSN 0899-5605
Electronic ISSN 1532-7876
Publisher American Psychological Association
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 35
Issue 1
Pages 12-26
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2022.2058302
Keywords Combat injuries; military veterans; body image; limb-loss; scarring
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9269634

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