'Coping quite well with a few difficult bits': living with disfigurement in early adolescence

Facial disfigurement affects approximately one in 500 children and young people in the UK. Four mothers and their 4 children aged 11-13 years who have a facial disfigurement were recruited through the charity Changing Faces, in order to examine the perspectives and concerns of adolescents and their mothers, and how they live with their disfigurement. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The implications for research and practice in health psychology are discussed, and in particular the support and intervention of friends, constant vigilance and practical assistance from mothers, and the individual characteristics of the child are highlighted for further consideration