Living with facial disfigurement: Stigmatizing situations, coping strategies and their influence on psychological well-being

Abstract

This study aims (1) to explore the nature and frequency of stigmatizing situations and coping strategies among people with facial disfigurement and (2) to examine the influence of these factors on their psychological well-being through preliminary interviews and a postal survey involving a self-administered questionnaire. The study participants (n=116, response rate=77.0%) comprised members of a self-help group for people with facial disfigurement. Results revealed that stigmatizing situations that occurred in public were the most common type of stigmatization, experienced by 1.6-72% of the participants, although these did not significantly affect their overall well-being. In contrast, the overall incidence of stigmatization caused by those known to the individual was relatively low (8-41%), although having such situations was significantly associated with deterioration of psychological well-being. In the area of coping strategies, avoidance or concealment (recourse rate: 60-69%) was significantly associated with low psychological well-being. Self-assertion (40-85%) and general social skills (75-91%) were correlated with high self-esteem. The implications of these findings are discussed.