Abstract
Aims
This study aimed to determine the psychosocial and appearance-related concerns of a sample of ophthalmic patients by measuring a range of psychological, social, and demographic factors.
Methods
Standardized psychological measures including anxiety, depression, appearance-related distress, self-discrepancy, appearance salience and valence were administered to 98 participants attending ophthalmic outpatient clinics in either London, Bristol, Sheffield or Bradford. Differences between groups were explored using t-tests and ANOVA, relationships between all variables were investigated using Pearson's correlation coefficient.
Results
Although mean scores for psychological adjustment were within the normal range, some participants were experiencing considerable levels of generalized anxiety. Being older, male, and married or living with a partner was related to significantly better adjustment. Better adjustment was also related to a less visible area of concern, greater disguisability of the affected area, a more positive evaluation of their own appearance, less engagement in comparing themselves with others, greater feelings of being accepted by others, appearance being less important to their self-concept, and a smaller discrepancy between the persons ideal and actual appearance.
Conclusions
A majority of ophthalmic patients adjust positively to the demands placed on them. By identifying the variables that are associated with successful adaptation, the specific psychological interventions and appropriate systems of support can be put in place to help those who are adversely affected.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the participants for taking part in the study, as well as the clinic staff who assisted in recruitment. We would also like to acknowledge Mr Rundell, Miss Currie, Miss Tan, and Professor Rennie from the Ophthalmology Department at Royal Hallamshire Hospital Sheffield and Mr Hugo Henderson at the Royal Free Hospital London for assistance in recruiting patients. Our thanks also to the ARC Advisory Committee, in particular, service user representatives Olivia Giles, Pam Warren and Luke Wiseman for their input into the research programme. As well as the Healing Foundation for funding the study, in association with the Welton Foundation and the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers. DE acknowledges financial support from the Department of Health through the award made by the National Institute for Health Research to Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology for a Specialist Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Department of Health. Funding for the study was provided by the Healing Foundation in association with the Welton Foundation and the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers.
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James, H., Jenkinson, E., Harrad, R. et al. Appearance concerns in ophthalmic patients. Eye 25, 1039–1044 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2011.116
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2011.116
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