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“It's tough because I see that it's upsetting her…”: A qualitative exploration of parents’ perceptions of talking with their adolescents about having a visible difference (2021)
Journal Article
Zelihić, D., Williamson, H., Kling, J., & Feragen, K. B. (2021). “It's tough because I see that it's upsetting her…”: A qualitative exploration of parents’ perceptions of talking with their adolescents about having a visible difference. Body Image, 38, 306-316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.05.006

Many adolescents live with a visible difference that affects their lives in profound ways, but studies investigating parents’ perceptions of raising appearance issues during conversations with their adolescent are lacking. As part of a larger study e... Read More about “It's tough because I see that it's upsetting her…”: A qualitative exploration of parents’ perceptions of talking with their adolescents about having a visible difference.

"Have we done enough?" A cross-condition exploration of the experiences of parents caring for a child with an appearance-affecting condition or injury (2021)
Journal Article
Thornton, M., Harcourt, D., Deave, T., Kiff, J., & Williamson, H. (2021). "Have we done enough?" A cross-condition exploration of the experiences of parents caring for a child with an appearance-affecting condition or injury. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 24(6), 418-428. https://doi.org/10.1080/17518423.2021.1901150

Children and young people (CYP) with appearance-affecting conditions/injuries report common pervasive psychosocial difficulties, regardless of cause, nature or extent of their visible differences. Parents or carers can also experience psychosocial di... Read More about "Have we done enough?" A cross-condition exploration of the experiences of parents caring for a child with an appearance-affecting condition or injury.

Designing an mHealth intervention for people with visible differences based on acceptance and commitment therapy: Participatory study gaining stakeholders’ input (2021)
Journal Article
Zucchelli, F., Donnelly, O., Rush, E., Smith, H., Williamson, H., & The VTCT Foundation Research Team. (2021). Designing an mHealth intervention for people with visible differences based on acceptance and commitment therapy: Participatory study gaining stakeholders’ input. JMIR Formative Research, 5(3), Article e26355. https://doi.org/10.2196/26355

Background: Given their growing popularity, mobile health (mHealth) apps may offer a viable method of delivering psychological interventions for people with an atypical appearance (ie, visible difference) who struggle with appearance-related distress... Read More about Designing an mHealth intervention for people with visible differences based on acceptance and commitment therapy: Participatory study gaining stakeholders’ input.

‘Your face freezes and so does your life’: A qualitative exploration of adults’ psychosocial experiences of living with acquired facial palsy (2021)
Journal Article
Hamlets, C., Williamson, H., Hotton, M., & Rumsey, N. (2021). ‘Your face freezes and so does your life’: A qualitative exploration of adults’ psychosocial experiences of living with acquired facial palsy. British Journal of Health Psychology, 26(3), 977-994. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12515

Objectives: Facial palsy (FP) is a highly visible appearance-affecting condition and can have a significant impact on facial function. Qualitative research focussing on adults’ experiences of living with acquired FP is limited. This study aimed to ex... Read More about ‘Your face freezes and so does your life’: A qualitative exploration of adults’ psychosocial experiences of living with acquired facial palsy.

Investigating online psychological treatment for adolescents with a visible difference in the Dutch YP Face IT study: Protocol of a randomised controlled trial (2021)
Journal Article
van Dalen, M., Pasmans, S. G. M. A., Aendekerk, M., Mathijssen, I., Koudstaal, M., Timman, R., …Okkerse, J. (2021). Investigating online psychological treatment for adolescents with a visible difference in the Dutch YP Face IT study: Protocol of a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 11(1), Article e041449. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041449

Introduction This paper outlines the study protocol for the Dutch Young People (YP) Face IT Study. Adolescents with a visible difference (ie, disfigurement) often experience challenging social situations such as being stared at, receiving unwanted qu... Read More about Investigating online psychological treatment for adolescents with a visible difference in the Dutch YP Face IT study: Protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

A qualitative investigation of the acceptability and feasibility of a urinary tract infection patient information leaflet for older adults and their carers (2021)
Journal Article
Jones, L. F., Williamson, H., Downing, P., Lecky, D. M., Harcourt, D., & McNulty, C. (2021). A qualitative investigation of the acceptability and feasibility of a urinary tract infection patient information leaflet for older adults and their carers. Antibiotics, 10(1), Article 83. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10010083

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be life threatening in older adults. The aim of this study was to primarily understand the acceptability and feasibility of using a UTI leaflet for older adults in care homes and the community. Qualitative intervie... Read More about A qualitative investigation of the acceptability and feasibility of a urinary tract infection patient information leaflet for older adults and their carers.

Children’s attitudes and friendship behaviours towards socially stigmatised appearances: Do attitudes vary according to type of difference? (2021)
Journal Article
Parnell, J., Williamson, H., Lewis, F., & Slater, A. (2021). Children’s attitudes and friendship behaviours towards socially stigmatised appearances: Do attitudes vary according to type of difference?. Stigma and Health, 6(3), 344-353. https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000287

Appearance-based stereotyping and stigma emerge in early childhood and can exist by the age of 4 years. Children from stigmatized groups (e.g., higher weight and visible difference) are at increased risk of experiencing judgment and unwanted behavior... Read More about Children’s attitudes and friendship behaviours towards socially stigmatised appearances: Do attitudes vary according to type of difference?.

Becoming known: Disclosure and exposure of (in)visible difference. (2020)
Journal Article
Sharratt, N. D., Williamson, H., Zucchelli, F., & Kiff, J. (2020). Becoming known: Disclosure and exposure of (in)visible difference. Stigma and Health, 5(4), 413-424. https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000212

Bodily or physical differences constitute a class of potentially stigmatized characteristics. The existing literature confirms that those with appearance altering or disfiguring conditions (“visible differences”) may experience both felt and enacted... Read More about Becoming known: Disclosure and exposure of (in)visible difference..

Patients’ experiences of an acceptance and commitment therapy-based approach for psychosocial difficulties relating to an appearance-affecting condition (2020)
Journal Article
Zucchelli, F. A., Donnelly, O., Sharratt, N., Hooper, N., & Williamson, H. M. (2020). Patients’ experiences of an acceptance and commitment therapy-based approach for psychosocial difficulties relating to an appearance-affecting condition. European Journal of Counselling Psychology, 9(1), 29-40. https://doi.org/10.46853/001c.22012

Some individuals with appearance-affecting conditions experience psychosocial challenges such as social anxiety and avoidance. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) may offer a suitable approach for these challenges. This qualitative study investig... Read More about Patients’ experiences of an acceptance and commitment therapy-based approach for psychosocial difficulties relating to an appearance-affecting condition.

‘Everybody’s Different: The Appearance Game’. A randomised controlled trial evaluating an appearance-related board game intervention with children aged 9-11 years (2020)
Journal Article
Jarman, H., Guest, E., Hannah, J., Sharratt, N., Williamson, H., White, P., …Slater, A. (2021). ‘Everybody’s Different: The Appearance Game’. A randomised controlled trial evaluating an appearance-related board game intervention with children aged 9-11 years. Body Image, 36, 34-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.09.010

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an educational board game aimed at increasing knowledge of appearance-related issues, positive body image, media literacy, and acceptance of appearance diversity with British school children. Two hundred and... Read More about ‘Everybody’s Different: The Appearance Game’. A randomised controlled trial evaluating an appearance-related board game intervention with children aged 9-11 years.

The effectiveness of interventions to improve psychosocial outcomes in parents of children with appearance-affecting health conditions: A systematic review (2020)
Journal Article
Costa, B., Thornton, M., Guest, E., Meyrick, J., & Williamson, H. (2021). The effectiveness of interventions to improve psychosocial outcomes in parents of children with appearance-affecting health conditions: A systematic review. Child: Care, Health and Development, 47(1), 15-30. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12805

Background: Although many cope well, the impact of supporting a child with an Appearance-Affecting Health Condition (AAHC) can place a significant demand on parents. As such, it is vital that families have access to appropriate psychosocial support t... Read More about The effectiveness of interventions to improve psychosocial outcomes in parents of children with appearance-affecting health conditions: A systematic review.

Body image concerns and psychological wellbeing among injured combat veterans with scars and limb loss: A review of the literature (2020)
Journal Article
Keeling, M., Williamson, H., Williams, V., Kiff, J., & Harcourt, D. (2021). Body image concerns and psychological wellbeing among injured combat veterans with scars and limb loss: A review of the literature. Military Behavioral Health, 9(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2020.1792013

A narrative literature review aimed to determine the nature and prevalence of body image and psychosocial concerns and associated support needs among veterans with combat-related appearance-altering injuries. A systematic approach to a narrative revi... Read More about Body image concerns and psychological wellbeing among injured combat veterans with scars and limb loss: A review of the literature.

The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions to support psychological well-being in post-operative bariatric patients: A systematic review of evidence (2020)
Journal Article
Van Zyl, N., Andrews, L., Williamson, H., & Meyrick, J. (2020). The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions to support psychological well-being in post-operative bariatric patients: A systematic review of evidence. Obesity Research and Clinical Practice, 14(5), 404-420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2020.05.005

Background: Bariatric surgery is considered an effective obesity management intervention for individuals with a BMI greater than 40, or 35 with co-morbidities. However, research documents that psychological difficulties prevalent amongst individuals... Read More about The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions to support psychological well-being in post-operative bariatric patients: A systematic review of evidence.

Appearance concerns, psychosocial outcomes, and the feasibility of implementing an online intervention for adolescents receiving outpatient burn care (2020)
Journal Article
Riobueno-Naylor, A., Williamson, H., Canenguez, K., Kogosov, A., Drexler, A., Sadeq, F., …Sheridan, R. L. (2021). Appearance concerns, psychosocial outcomes, and the feasibility of implementing an online intervention for adolescents receiving outpatient burn care. Journal of Burn Care and Research, 42(1), 32-40. https://doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/iraa108

The current study assessed the prevalence of appearance concerns, psychosocial difficulty, and use of an appearance-focused social and psychological support resource (Young Person's Face IT; YPF) within a population of teens (12-17 year-olds) receivi... Read More about Appearance concerns, psychosocial outcomes, and the feasibility of implementing an online intervention for adolescents receiving outpatient burn care.

Appearance concerns, psychosocial outcomes, and the feasibility of implementing an online intervention for adolescents receiving outpatient burn care (2020)
Journal Article
Riobueno-Naylor, A., Williamson, H., Canenguez, K., Kogosov, A., Drexler, A., Sadeq, F., …Sheridan, R. L. (2021). Appearance concerns, psychosocial outcomes, and the feasibility of implementing an online intervention for adolescents receiving outpatient burn care. Journal of Burn Care and Research, 42(1), 32-40. https://doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/iraa108

The current study assessed the prevalence of appearance concerns, psychosocial difficulty, and use of an appearance-focused social and psychological support resource (Young Person’s Face IT; YPF) within a population of teens (12-17 year-olds) receiv... Read More about Appearance concerns, psychosocial outcomes, and the feasibility of implementing an online intervention for adolescents receiving outpatient burn care.

Therapeutic writing for disordered eating: A systematic review (2020)
Journal Article
Ramsey-Wade, C. E., Williamson, H., & Meyrick, J. (2021). Therapeutic writing for disordered eating: A systematic review. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 16(1), 59-76. https://doi.org/10.1080/15401383.2020.1760988

A systematic review of the literature was carried out to assess whether therapeutic writing could improve outcomes for clients with disordered eating. Twelve studies were identified that met the review’s inclusion criteria. Each study was criticall... Read More about Therapeutic writing for disordered eating: A systematic review.

Anxiety and depression in adolescents with a visible difference: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2020)
Journal Article
van Dalen, M., Dierckx, B., Parsmans, S., Aendekerk, E. W. C., Mathijssen, I., Koudstaal, M. J., …Okkerse, J. (2020). Anxiety and depression in adolescents with a visible difference: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Body Image, 33, 38-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.02.006

Living with a visible difference can entail challenging social situations, associated with psychosocial symptoms. However, it is not clear whether adolescents with a visible difference experience more anxiety and depression than unaffected peers. We... Read More about Anxiety and depression in adolescents with a visible difference: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Australian health professionals’ perspectives of psychosocial adjustment to visible differences: A qualitative analysis of pediatric populations (2020)
Journal Article
Gee, C., Maskell, J., Newcombe, P., Kimble, R., & Williamson, H. (2020). Australian health professionals’ perspectives of psychosocial adjustment to visible differences: A qualitative analysis of pediatric populations. Body Image, 33, 13-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.02.004

Living with a visible difference (e.g., disfigurement) can compromise a child’s psychological wellbeing. Although some children can adjust well, others can develop a range of appearance-related issues such as social anxiety, low self-esteem, and body... Read More about Australian health professionals’ perspectives of psychosocial adjustment to visible differences: A qualitative analysis of pediatric populations.

Experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion mediate the relationship between body evaluation and unhelpful body image coping strategies in individuals with visible differences (2019)
Journal Article
Zucchelli, F., White, P., & Williamson, H. (2020). Experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion mediate the relationship between body evaluation and unhelpful body image coping strategies in individuals with visible differences. Body Image, 32, 121-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.12.002

Psychological flexibility, the capacity to be open to any internal stimuli and act in accordance with valued ends, has been identified as an explanatory variable in how people cope with body concerns. The role of psychological flexibility is unexplor... Read More about Experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion mediate the relationship between body evaluation and unhelpful body image coping strategies in individuals with visible differences.