Eleanor Walsh
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
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 |
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