Abstract
Purpose: The failure of research to capture the qualitative experiences of young people who have chronic skin conditions means that their psychosocial needs are poorly understood. Using a grounded theory approach, this study facilitated group discussions between adolescents with psoriasis in order to rapidly identify themes about their support needs.
Methods: Three online focus groups were hosted in a real time forum. In total, 8 young people aged 11–18 years were recruited through the websites of psoriasis support organizations. Focus groups lasted an average of 1 hour and data was analysed using grounded theory techniques.
Results: Appearance-related concerns are central to the experiences of young people with psoriasis. Participants constructed their individual struggle (It and Me) in physical, emotional, motivational and intellectual terms. A strong sense of Us developed as participants recognized the value of meeting peers with psoriasis. This enabled groups to blame Them for their negative social experiences.
Discussion: The findings are discussed in the context of literature around adolescence and appearance. It is suggested that the experience of negative social encounters in adolescence may have long-term implications for appearance anxiety specifically and self-esteem generally. The potential of peer support to improve these outcomes is considered.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 133-141 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Developmental Neurorehabilitation |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Status | Published - 2007 |
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“Ur skin is the thing that everyone sees and you cant change it!”: Exploring the appearance-related concerns of young people with psoriasis. / Fox, Fiona E; Rumsey, Nichola; Morris, Marianne.
In: Developmental Neurorehabilitation, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2007, p. 133-141.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - “Ur skin is the thing that everyone sees and you cant change it!”: Exploring the appearance-related concerns of young people with psoriasis
AU - Fox,Fiona E
AU - Rumsey,Nichola
AU - Morris,Marianne
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Purpose: The failure of research to capture the qualitative experiences of young people who have chronic skin conditions means that their psychosocial needs are poorly understood. Using a grounded theory approach, this study facilitated group discussions between adolescents with psoriasis in order to rapidly identify themes about their support needs. Methods: Three online focus groups were hosted in a real time forum. In total, 8 young people aged 11–18 years were recruited through the websites of psoriasis support organizations. Focus groups lasted an average of 1 hour and data was analysed using grounded theory techniques. Results: Appearance-related concerns are central to the experiences of young people with psoriasis. Participants constructed their individual struggle (It and Me) in physical, emotional, motivational and intellectual terms. A strong sense of Us developed as participants recognized the value of meeting peers with psoriasis. This enabled groups to blame Them for their negative social experiences. Discussion: The findings are discussed in the context of literature around adolescence and appearance. It is suggested that the experience of negative social encounters in adolescence may have long-term implications for appearance anxiety specifically and self-esteem generally. The potential of peer support to improve these outcomes is considered.
AB - Purpose: The failure of research to capture the qualitative experiences of young people who have chronic skin conditions means that their psychosocial needs are poorly understood. Using a grounded theory approach, this study facilitated group discussions between adolescents with psoriasis in order to rapidly identify themes about their support needs. Methods: Three online focus groups were hosted in a real time forum. In total, 8 young people aged 11–18 years were recruited through the websites of psoriasis support organizations. Focus groups lasted an average of 1 hour and data was analysed using grounded theory techniques. Results: Appearance-related concerns are central to the experiences of young people with psoriasis. Participants constructed their individual struggle (It and Me) in physical, emotional, motivational and intellectual terms. A strong sense of Us developed as participants recognized the value of meeting peers with psoriasis. This enabled groups to blame Them for their negative social experiences. Discussion: The findings are discussed in the context of literature around adolescence and appearance. It is suggested that the experience of negative social encounters in adolescence may have long-term implications for appearance anxiety specifically and self-esteem generally. The potential of peer support to improve these outcomes is considered.
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13638490701217594
U2 - 10.1080/13638490701217594
DO - 10.1080/13638490701217594
M3 - Article
VL - 10
SP - 133
EP - 141
JO - Developmental Neurorehabilitation
T2 - Developmental Neurorehabilitation
JF - Developmental Neurorehabilitation
SN - 1751-8423
IS - 2
ER -