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

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

Authors

Stan Newman

Rob Newell

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

Alex Clarke

Roger Charlton

Andrew Thompson

Antje Lindenmeyer

Sally Ann Clarke

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

Emma Williams

Hayley James

Krysia Saul

Eleanor Walsh

Katie Egan

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



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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