A qualitative study of the experiences of people who identify themselves as having adjusted positively to a visible difference

Walsh, Eleanor; Clarke, Sally Ann; Saul, Krysia; James, Hayley; Williams, Emma; Jenkinson, Elizabeth; Byron-Daniel, James; White, Paul; Lindenmeyer, Antje; Thompson, Andrew; Charlton, Roger; Clarke, Alex; Moss, Tim; Newell, Rob; Newman, Stan; Egan, Katie; Harcourt, Diana; Rumsey, Nichola

doi:10.1177/1359105310390246

A qualitative study of the experiences of people who identify themselves as having adjusted positively to a visible difference

Walsh, Eleanor; Clarke, Sally Ann; Saul, Krysia; James, Hayley; Williams, Emma; Jenkinson, Elizabeth; Byron-Daniel, James; White, Paul; Lindenmeyer, Antje; Thompson, Andrew; Charlton, Roger; Clarke, Alex; Moss, Tim; Newell, Rob; Newman, Stan; Egan, Katie; Harcourt, Diana; Rumsey, Nichola

Authors

Eleanor Walsh

Sally Ann Clarke

Krysia Saul

Hayley James

Emma Williams

Elizabeth Jenkinson Elizabeth2.Jenkinson@uwe.ac.uk
Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology and Research

James Byron-Daniel James.Byron-Daniel@uwe.ac.uk
Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology

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

Antje Lindenmeyer

Andrew Thompson

Roger Charlton

Alex Clarke

Tim Moss Tim.Moss@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor

Rob Newell

Stan Newman

Katie Egan

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

Nicky Rumsey Nichola.Rumsey@uwe.ac.uk

Abstract

© 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; relationships with others; and coping (factors in the coping theme considered to be paramount to positive adjustment were inner strength and positivity, active coping techniques, downward social comparisons, taking things day-by-day, spirituality and humour). The findings provide insight into behaviours and personal outlooks that may contribute to adaptive coping and have implications for future research and interventions aimed at those who exhibit poor adjustment to visible difference. The article reflects on the use of both individual and group interviews for research in this field.

Citation

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

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Jan 1, 2011
Journal	Journal of Health Psychology
Print ISSN	1359-1053
Electronic ISSN	1461-7277
Publisher	SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	16
Issue	5
Pages	739-749
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105310390246
Keywords	appearance, coping, disfigurement, positive adjustment, qualitative methods, visible difference
Public URL	https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/961299
Publisher URL	http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1359105310390246