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Appearance concerns in ophthalmic patients

Newman, S.; Rumsey, Nichola; Byron-Daniel, James; Charlton, Rodger; Clarke, Alex; Clarke, Sally Ann; Harcourt, Diana; Lindenmeyer, Antje; Moss, Tim; Newell, Rob; Saul, Krysia; Thompson, Andrew; Walsh, Eleanor; White, Paul; Williams, Emma; James, Hayley; Jenkinson, Elizabeth; Harrad, Richard; Ezra, Daniel; Newman, Stanton

Authors

Susan Newman Susan3.Newman@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Economics

Nichola Rumsey

Rodger Charlton

Alex Clarke

Sally Ann Clarke

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

Antje Lindenmeyer

Tim Moss Tim.Moss@uwe.ac.uk
Director of PGR Studies and Associate Professor

Rob Newell

Krysia Saul

Andrew Thompson

Eleanor Walsh

Paul White Paul.White@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Applied Statistics

Emma Williams

Richard Harrad

Daniel Ezra

Stanton Newman



Abstract

Aims This study Aim ed to determine the psychosocial and appearance-related concerns of a sample of ophthalmic patients by measuring a range of psychological, social, and demographic factors. Methods Standardized psychological measures including anxiety, depression, appearance-related distress, self-discrepancy, appearance salience and valence were administered to 98 participants attending ophthalmic outpatient clinics in either London, Bristol, Sheffield or Bradford. Differences between groups were explored using t-tests and ANOVA, relationships between all variables were investigated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results Although mean scores for psychological adjustment were within the normal range, some participants were experiencing considerable levels of generalized anxiety. Being older, male, and married or living with a partner was related to significantly better adjustment. Better adjustment was also related to a less visible area of concern, greater disguisability of the affected area, a more positive evaluation of their own appearance, less engagement in comparing themselves with others, greater feelings of being accepted by others, appearance being less important to their self-concept, and a smaller discrepancy between the persons ideal and actual appearance. Conclusions A majority of ophthalmic patients adjust positively to the demands placed on them. By identifying the variables that are associated with successful adaptation, the specific psychological interventions and appropriate systems of support can be put in place to help those who are adversely affected. © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved.

Citation

Williams, E., White, P., Walsh, E., Thompson, A., Saul, K., Newell, R., …Newman, S. (2011). Appearance concerns in ophthalmic patients. Eye, 25(8), 1039-1044. https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2011.116

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 2011
Deposit Date Aug 15, 2011
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Eye
Print ISSN 0950-222X
Electronic ISSN 1476-5454
Publisher Springer Nature [academic journals on nature.com]
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 25
Issue 8
Pages 1039-1044
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2011.116
Keywords appearance, ophthalmic patients
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/960430
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/eye.2011.116
Additional Information Corporate Creators : Appearance Research Collaboration