Early appearance concerns after burns: Investigating the roles of psychological flexibility and self-compassion

Shepherd, Laura, Sirois, Fuschia, Harcourt, Diana, Norman, Paul and Thompson, Andrew R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6788-7222 2024. Early appearance concerns after burns: Investigating the roles of psychological flexibility and self-compassion. Body Image 51 , 101797. 10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101797

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (633kB)

Abstract

Few qualitative studies have explored appearance concerns soon after burn injuries. This study aimed to understand the early experiences of appearance concerns after burns, through the lens of psychological flexibility and self-compassion. Template analysis informed data collection and analysis. Fifteen adults (nine female, six male) with appearance concerns were interviewed within three months of their burns. Three superordinate themes were identified: (1) Need for social connection; (2) Distress through difference; and (3) Experiential avoidance and self-criticism in response to early appearance concerns. Findings highlighted that early appearance concerns are influenced by the need for social acceptance and the desire to conform to societal ideals. Internalised gender and appearance ideals and concerns about rejection and stigma were activated by the burn, and individuals had difficulty responding to their early appearance concerns with psychological flexibility and self-compassion. Instead, attempts to avoid distress (experiential avoidance) occurred. Self-criticism in response to distress was evident which, for some, extended to the event leading to their burns. Early interventions to enhance psychological flexibility and self-compassion (e.g., acceptance and commitment therapy, mindful self-compassion), to help individuals respond to appearance concerns with less experiential avoidance and self-criticism, would likely promote adjustment to changes in appearance after burns.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Psychology
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	1740-1445
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	27 September 2024
Date of Acceptance:	25 September 2024
Last Modified:	21 Oct 2024 10:31
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/172425

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item