The DOI matches its Crossref record; 5 of the 5 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Living with vitiligo: Dealing with difference
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Individuals with a disfigurement are at risk of experiencing psychological distress, but the level of this distress is only marginally associated with clinical severity. This study examines the experience of living with the skin condition vitiligo with a view towards understanding its impact and the ways in which participants deal with this chronic and disfiguring disease. DESIGN: The qualitative method Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used. METHODS: In a semi-structured interview, seven white female vitiligo sufferers were asked to describe their experiences from the time the vitiligo first became apparent to the time of the interview. They were encouraged to elaborate on their own reactions and how they dealt with the reactions of others. RESULTS: Initially, participants felt overwhelmed by their illness but over time they developed several strategies in order to 'contain' their difference in appearance within manageable limits. The behavioural strategies of avoidance and concealment had several disadvantages, whereas cognitive strategies were less problematic but difficult to sustain consistently. Social support served to facilitate the development of coping methods associated with acceptance of difference. However, maintaining this acceptance was a struggle and the process fragile. CONCLUSIONS: Living with vitiligo was a continuous struggle. The results are consistent with Leventhal's (1970) notion that coping is a problem-solving process and with Moos and Schaefer's (1984) contention that dealing with a chronic disease involves the development of a variety of strategies in order to regain equilibrium. Further research is needed to examine whether the experiences described here are common to other disfiguring conditions.
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“Other amendable factors that have been found to be associated with psychological distress due to a visible difference are psychological flexibility and cognitive strategies (Shepherd et al., 2019; Thompson et al., 2002).”
From A Novel Psychological Group Intervention Targeting Appearance-Related Distress Among People With a Visible Disfigurement (Inside Out): A Case Study (2023) · cites this paper as Thompson et al., 2002
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“Avoidance and concealment are common coping methods used to deal with stigmatizing situations, although they are generally considered to be maladaptive (Thompson et al., 2002; Robinson et al., 1996; Thompson and Kent, 2001).”
BackgroundVisible Difference (Disfigurement) ☆
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“Helpful comments from parents are usually internalized and used as positive self-talk (Thompson et al., 2002), whereas lack of support exacerbates negative emotions (Furness et al., 2006).”
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“Regarding the cognitive process, variables including personality characteristics, the duration and severity of the disease are all important (Thompson et al., 2002).”
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Shvitra and its Ayurvedic Management
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Skin scar preconceptions must be challenged
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Beyond skin deep: appearance, visibility, and social stigma in skin picking disorder
Isibor, M. (2026) · Mental Health and Social Inclusion · doi:10.1108/mhsi-02-2026-0043
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Metadata
- Authors
- Thompson, A. R., Kent, G., & Smith, J. A.
- Affiliations
- University of Sheffield (GB)
- Birkbeck, University of London (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Thompson, Andrew R.
- Venue
- British Journal of Health Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2002-05
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 213-225
- ISSN
- 1359-107X (ISSN-L)
- 2044-8287
- OpenAlex
- W2143838698
- Cited by
- 141
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 8.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- British Journal of Health Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- BIROn (Birkbeck, University of London) (submittedVersion)
- ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
- Keywords
- vitiligo, coping strategies, disfigurement, psychological distress, concealment, avoidance, social support, acceptance of differences, chronic disease, lived experience
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